OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among sex workers and drug users in Pakistan. METHODS: Interviews were conducted on 3640 sex workers, injection drug users and truckers about STI symptoms within the past year and currently and the care they sought for them. RESULTS: Nearly half (46%) reported STI symptoms in the past 12 months and 55% went for treatment. Most of the care sought was from the private sector and more by IDUs and female sex workers. Increasing age or having a genital ulcer predicted care seeking. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need to understand the factors determining care seeking among members of high risk groups; and emphasizing the role of the private health care providers in treatment and control of STIs.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among sex workers and drug users in Pakistan. METHODS: Interviews were conducted on 3640 sex workers, injection drug users and truckers about STI symptoms within the past year and currently and the care they sought for them. RESULTS: Nearly half (46%) reported STI symptoms in the past 12 months and 55% went for treatment. Most of the care sought was from the private sector and more by IDUs and female sex workers. Increasing age or having a genital ulcer predicted care seeking. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need to understand the factors determining care seeking among members of high risk groups; and emphasizing the role of the private health care providers in treatment and control of STIs.
Authors: Maryam Nasirian; Mohammad Karamouzian; Kianoush Kamali; Amir Reza Nabipour; Ahmad Maghsoodi; Roja Nikaeen; Ali Reza Razzaghi; Ali Mirzazadeh; Mohammad Reza Baneshi; Ali Akbar Haghdoost Journal: Int J Health Policy Manag Date: 2015-08-09