Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and related factors among female prisoners in Tehran, Iran
International Journal of Prisoner Health
ISSN: 1744-9200
Article publication date: 29 December 2022
Issue publication date: 28 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. STIs lead to substantial morbidity and mortality and affect many different aspects of human life, including quality of life, sexual health, reproductive health and even the health of newborns and children. Despite of high rates of STIs in prisons, there are not sufficient screening, prevention and treatment programs to control STIs transmission among prisoners in Iran. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of STIs among incarcerated women in Iran for the first time, using the active case finding strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 438 incarcerated women in a prison in Tehran, Iran, from 2017 to 2018. A total of 438 prisoners were screened by active case findings for STI symptoms, then evaluated by complete genital and anal examination, followed by molecular testing.
Findings
A total of 189 (43.2%) prisoners announced vaginal discharge, while 194 (44.3%) individuals had vaginal discharge in the genital examination. In the cervical examination, 137 individuals (31.3%) had abnormal findings, of which 83 (18.9%) individuals had cervicitis, 40 (9.1%) individuals had cervical erosion, 38 (8.7%) individuals had cervical prolapse and 17 (3.9%) individuals had bleeding originated from the cervix.
Originality/value
This study showed that it is possible to set up a system in which the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of prisoners with STIs can be actively performed. Educating prisoners about signs and symptoms, risk behaviors and prevention routes of STIs, as much as regular screening of prisoners, and adequate treatment can help control the STIs prevalence among prisoners and in the general population.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all staff in the prisons for their help. This study was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences with code: 99–1-119–48219 and the ethics code: IR.TUMS.IKHC.REC.1399.126.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation
Farhoudi, B., Shahmohamadi, E., SeyedAlinaghi, S., Rostam Afshar, Z., Parmoon, Z., Mirzapour, P., Nadji, S., Golsoorat Pahlaviani, F. and Tashakorian, M. (2023), "Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and related factors among female prisoners in Tehran, Iran", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 492-500. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-09-2022-0055
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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