The research of knowledge, attitude and behavior of sex-workers in adana brothel about sexually transmitted i̇nfections (STİS) and their depression situation

Background and Objective: STIs are one of the most important problems of public health in developed and especially developing countries. Because of their jobs women working in brothels are high risk group for STIs. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude and behavior of sex-workers in Adana Brothel about STIs and prevention of these infections and their depression situation. There are a few studies about this subject and this study will be usefull for the identification of the problems. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study planned to determine the knowledge, attitude and behevior of sex-workers in Adana Brothel about STIs and their depression situation. The universe of the study was registered sex-workers in Adana Brothel. It's aimed to reach all the universe. At the end of the study 108 sex-workers were reached. The questionnare performed consisted of 21 questions about socio-demographic features, 52 questions about sexual history and the level of knowledge about STIs and 21 questions about depression situation. Data analysis were performed using SPSS version 15.0. Chi-square, correlation analysis and logistic regression used for the evaluation of the data. Results: The mean age of participants was 43,8±8,3 years. There was a significant association between education level and condom use (p<0,001). There was a significant association between age groups and condom use (p=0,007). There was also a significant association between the time period in the sector and condom use (p<0,001). Sex-workers' Beck Depression Scala score mean was 15,9±11,6 and median 16. 48,1 % of the participants Beck Depression Scala score was 17 and over. There was a significant association between depressive symptoms and age (p=0,01). When we evaluate the correlation between age and Beck Depression Scala score moderate and significant correlation on the positive side found (r=0,301 p=0,002). There was a significant association between the participants education level and Beck Depression Scala score (p=0,01). According to the time period in the sector depressive symptoms were higher in sex-workers working 20 years and over (p=0,01). When the age of the profession decreased depression score increased. There was a poor significant correlation on the opposite side between age of the profession and Beck Depression Scala score. As a result of pairwise comparisons using p-value under 0,1 variables logistic regression analysis were performed and it's foun out that every one year increase at the age of individual also increases the risf of depressive symptoms 1,111 times (% 95 confidence interval: 1,050-1,175). Conclusions: According to the result of our study when the education level and the time period in the sector decrease, the percentage of condom use increases. When the time period in the sector increases, the age of profession decreases, the percentage of depressive symptoms increases. When education level increases depressive symptoms ratio decreases. Sex business is the most important factor that determines the rate of STIs spread. Therefore education programs that aimes to provide information,change of attitude and behavior for the protection from STIs must be expanded and phychological support programs for sex-workers should be applied. Key Words: Sex-worker, STIs, Beck Depression Scala.