Background: According to recent studies, the number of women drug users is dramatically increasing. However, the information on the issue of drug rehab in women is not sufficient, and there are numerous traditional, organizational, political and cultural barriers to the provision of relevant information in this regard in Iran. This study, thus, aimed to explain the factors influencing the decision of these women to stop drug use. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in two rehab camps of Isfahan (in Iran) on July to October 2017. Thirty participants (women drug users) were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling until data saturation was reached. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Based on the analysis of the obtained results, the women's experience of the ups and downs of stopping drug use yielded two themes and nine sub-themes. The themes were "the need for emancipation (the deviated path, being abused, compulsive drug use, acquaintance with God, a supportive family)" and "Sinking factors (non-assisting mates, proaddictive family, unawareness of assisting official organization and non-government organization, woman's lack of authority, ineffective opportunities)". Conclusions: It was concluded that addiction rehab strategies can lead to a brighter life for women drug users only when they are coupled with open-hearted assistance of the families and women specific rehab centers are established to help them meet their specific needs.
Background: Reproductive health of vulnerable adolescent girls is a top priority in global programs. Alcohol consumption, drug abuse, high risk sexual behaviors, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, escape from home, unrestrained sex in the family, history of robbery, imprisonment and living in drug hangouts expose adolescents to different sorts of damage and injury. These adolescent girls are at risk of AIDS and other STDs, unwanted pregnancies, illegal and unsafe abortions, unplanned pregnancy and childbirth, and unsafe motherhood. Therefore, assessing these girls' reproductive health needs and designing programs to improve their sexual and reproductive health seem to be essential. This study will be conducted to design a comprehensive program for improving the reproductive health of vulnerable adolescent girls. Methods: The present study is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study (Qual-Quan) designed in three phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study will be used to describe the reproductive health needs of vulnerable adolescent girls, identify facilitating and inhibiting factors, and explain the strategies of reproductive health programs for these girls. Participants will be selected in this phase using purposive sampling method, and the data will be collected through semi-structured interviews. The obtained data will be analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. In the second phase, through a quantitative study, the strategies obtained from the qualitative study and review of the literature will be provided to reproductive health care providers, experts, policymakers, and planners to prioritize and select the best strategies. In the third phase, the initial draft of the program will be formulated based on prioritized strategies and will be proposed in a panel comprised of specialists in the areas of reproductive and sexual health, health promotion, social injuries and a psychiatrist. Finally, the final program will be developed and presented after obtaining the agreement and approval of the panel members. Discussion: Designing a program based on a qualitative study, review of the existing evidence and programs, and using the opinions of experts in different areas can lead to different aspects of reproductive and sexual health of vulnerable adolescent girls. On the other hand, taking into account all cultural sensitivities and taboos as well as political, economic and social barriers, the development of such a program can provide the appropriate possibility of presenting comprehensive reproductive and sexual health services to vulnerable adolescent girls and achieve the goals agreed universally.
Background Vulnerable adolescents are exposed to sexual and reproductive health harms. Ignoring the sexual and reproductive health of this group can have irreparable consequences. The present qualitative study aimed to explore the barriers to the access of vulnerable adolescent girls to sexual and reproductive health. Methods In this study, sixteen 14-19-year-old adolescent girls and twenty-two key informants were selected using purposive sampling method. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, they expressed their experiences of barriers to sexual and reproductive health in vulnerable adolescent girls. The data were encoded using the conventional qualitative content analysis. Results Based on the results of the study, neglecting the reproductive and sexual health of vulnerable adolescent girls at different levels leads to serious challenges and obstacles in providing and maintaining it. Lack of a responsible family, the repulsive behaviors of the family and following risky behaviors of peers led to ignoring the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls. Unanswered sexual questions, defective life skills, unwanted pregnancy during adolescence, lack of awareness of unsafe sex, violating cultural norms and wounded psyche in vulnerable adolescent girls threaten their sexual and reproductive health. Ineffectiveness of key organizations in providing sexual and reproductive health services alongside lack of legal, political and social support in this area indicate that the sexual and reproductive health of these girls is not a priority for the society. Conclusion Numerous personal, family, social, legal and political barriers challenge the sexual and reproductive health of vulnerable adolescent girls. Developing a comprehensive and practical program beside legal and political support for this issue can provide the basis for the sexual and reproductive health of this group of adolescents in societies.
Introduction: Women's health is supposed to be one of the indicators of development. Reproductive health is an important part of women's health. Vulnerable women are a group of women whose reproductive health needs to be given special attention. The aim of this study was to compare reproductive health and its related factors in vulnerable and non-vulnerable women. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on women covered by special centers for vulnerable women (n = 250) and comprehensive health centers (n = 250). The samples were randomly selected from Isfahan (Iran) from October to December 2017. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire completed by the researcher using interview method. Internal reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed to be 0.89 using Cronbach's alpha. The data were analyzed in SPSS 20 using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Pearson and Spearman tests. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results The results showed that the mean total score of reproductive health in the non-vulnerable group (81.41) was significantly higher than that of the vulnerable group (68.6). The mean total score and the score of reproductive health components, except for access to and receipt of health services and healthy reproductive counseling, were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Having an addicted spouse and unsafe sex were the most prevalent features associated with high risk behaviors. Smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly higher in the vulnerable group (P < 0.01). Conclusion According to the results, reproductive health status of vulnerable women is inappropriate in all dimensions. Given the importance of this issue, the development and implementation of special health programs for this group seems to be necessary in order to promote their reproductive health.
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