Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42778833›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of behavioral medicine2026

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sexual and Physical Violence Against Female Sex Workers in Iran: Findings from a Nationwide Survey in 2024.

Maliheh Sadat Bazrafshani, Fatemeh Tavakoli, Soheil Mehmandoost, Hossein Mirzaei, Naser Nasiri, Mahkameh Rafiee, Kambiz Mahzari, Alireza Tajlili, Mina Golriz Khatami, Ali Mohammad Hosseinpour and 3 more

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Article in International journal of behavioral medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Maliheh Sadat BazrafshaniHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Fatemeh TavakoliHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of. fatemehtavakoli98@yahoo.com.
Soheil MehmandoostHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Hossein MirzaeiHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Naser NasiriBio Environmental Health Research Center, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Mahkameh RafieeHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2268-3364
Kambiz MahzariWelfare Organization, Harm Reduction & AIDS Group, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Alireza TajliliCountry Coordinating Mechanism, Global Fund, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Mina Golriz KhatamiWelfare Organization, Fars, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Ali Mohammad HosseinpourHealth Deputy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Ali Akbar HaghdoostSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of.
Mohammad KaramouzianCentre On Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Hamid SharifiHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic of. sharifihami@gmail.com.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9008-7618

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFemale sex workers (FSWs) experience a disproportionate burden of violence shaped by structural, social, and individual factors. This study provides updated nationwide estimates of the prevalence of physical violence (PV) and sexual violence (SV) against FSWs and investigates its structural and individual drivers in Iran.

methodThis cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024, recruiting 1516 FSWs from 13 major Iranian cities using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a standard questionnaire. The primary outcomes were self-reported experiences of PV and SV in the last 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associated factors.

resultsThe RDS-weighted 12-month prevalence was 23.3% (95% CI, 20.0-26.6) for PV and 30.3% (95% CI, 26.4-34.2) for SV. In multivariable models, structural factors were strongly associated with violence. Stable housing was strongly protective against both PV (aOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25-0.60) and SV (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.21-0.56). Conversely, being a street-based FSW significantly increased the odds of both PV (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01-1.76) and SV (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.13-1.95). Experiencing recent sexually transmitted infections (STI) (PV: aOR, 1.66, 95% CI, 1.26-2.19; SV: aOR, 1.76, 95% CI, 1.36-2.29) and engaging in group sex (PV: aOR, 1.59, 95% CI, 1.08-2.34; SV: aOR, 1.99, 95% CI, 1.35-2.94) were also associated with higher odds of both forms of violence.

conclusionViolence is a major public health issue for FSWs in Iran, with important implications for HIV and STI prevention and care. The strong associations with work environment and housing underscore the need for confidential, stigma-free services that integrate STI/HIV care, post-violence support, and pathways to safe housing.

Indexed as

Female sex workersHarm reductionIranPhysical violenceSexual violence

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.