Parvin Afsar Kazeroni
1, Zaher Khazaei
2, Masumeh Mousavi
3*, Salman Khazaei
4, Malihe Sohrabivafa
5, Seyedeh Leila Dehghani
6, Hossein Ali Adineh
7, Hamed Delam
8, Mehdi Nejat
3, Bahareh Behzadi
8, Mouhebat Vali Esfahani
3, Mojgan Sabet
91 Center for Communicable Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Public Health, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
3 Epidemiology Department, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
5 Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
6 Department of Public Health, Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran
7 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
8 Department of Epidemiology, Rafsanjan Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Science, Rafsanjan, Iran
9 Vice Health Chancellor, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and tuberculosis are the most important communicable diseases in vulnerable populations.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis among homeless individuals in Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was carried out on 589 homeless men and women in Shiraz city. The data collection tool was a structurally standard questionnaire. After filling questionnaire, ELISA test was taken each person. If the results of the ELISA test were positive, then, a complementary Western blot test was conducted for HIV. Accordingly a PPD was conducted for individuals suspected to tuberculosis. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and student t test.
Results: HIV prevalence in this population was 7.6%. Around 8.88% of HIV positive cases were men. Around 2.37% of the cases had an experience of drug injection. The difference between cases with positive test of HIV in drug users and those who did not use drugs was statically significant (P < 0.05). Around 34.7% of men had experienced homosexual relations.
Conclusion: In this study, prevalence of HIV in participants was 7.6%, therefore much more attention needs to be paid to the health of homeless people.