THE STUDY OF PROSTITUTE WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WAYS OF HIV TRANSMISSION IN TEHRAN IN 1390

A third wave of sexual transmission of HIV has been increased recently. In this context، one of the high risk groups is female sex workers that as a vulnerable group they are prone to AIDS and other venereal diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess female sex workers’ knowledge concerning the ways of HIV transmission.

Addicted sex worker women referred to welfare drug addiction treatment centers in Tehran were chosen، and data were collected by means of a questionnaire and direct interview. The subjects who refused to participate in the study were omitted from the research.

Awareness of female sex workers about HIV transmission was 63. 8 percent. The mean of age of female sex workers was 36. 5 years. The youngest one was 18 years and the oldest one was 55 years. Family condition of the subjects was very inappropriate، and 80% of these women had been sexually abused in their childhood.

Results of this study showed that female sex workers are aware about the ways of HIV transmission. This is effective in planning to reduce incidence of HIV. Also، we concluded that the main reason for prostitution is poor family care that in turn، reveal the necessity to increase social welfare and mental health of the family.