Affiliation:
1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Sanandaj Iran
2. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan Iran
3. Iranian Center for Communicable Disease Control Ministry of Health and Medical Education Tehran Iran
4. School of Public Health and Saftey Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
5. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Sanandaj Iran
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveAlcohol use is more common among female sex workers (FSWs). This study assessed the prevalence of lifetime and past‐month alcohol use and related factors among FSWs in Iran.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional survey among 1464 women from 8 major cities in Iran. Behavioral data were collected by trained interviewers and conducted face‐to‐face in a private room. Weighted analysis was used to determine the lifetime and past‐month alcohol use prevalence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between alcohol use and independent variables.ResultsThe most alcohol used in lifetime and past‐month (weekly, less than once a week, and daily) in FSWs was 52.7% (12.25%, 12.94%, and 1.83%), respectively. In the final model, factors that were independently associated with alcohol use included the 31–40 years (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.13–5.15), education level of diploma (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.31–4.51), history of lifetime drug use (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 2.01–3.89), history of lifetime group sex (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.41–3.03), history of intentional abortion (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.06–1.92), six or more sexual clients in the last month (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.80–5.87), history of lifetime anal sex (AOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.82‐3.35), and FSWs the married, temporarily married, and living with partner were positively associated with lifetime alcohol use.ConclusionAlcohol use is prevalent among FSWs in Iran. Further prevention programs are needed to address and reduce harms associated with alcohol use among this vulnerable population in Iran. Designing intervention programs, it is suggested to consider other variables affecting alcohol use in FSWs.