Risky Sexual Behaviors and Condom Use Barriers in Women with Substance Use Disorders, Iran

Abstract

Background Scant information exists on Iranian women's protective behaviors mainly constant condom use. This seems prevalent among women with drug abuse problems. We aimed to investigate risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) and condom use barriers in Iranian female with substance use disorders (SUDs).Methods In our cross-sectional study, we recruited 300 women who sought treatments for their SUDs from outpatient drug free (ODF) and Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) centers. We selected active centers in Tehran, Iran (N#6). We use three batteries including demographic questionnaire, the Risky Sexual Behavior Questionnaire (RSBQ), and the Condom Barriers Scale (CBS). The statistical software R, analysis of variance post hoc and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) logistic regression tests were used in data analysisFindings we recruited 300 women who sought treatments for their SUDs from outpatient drug free (ODF) and Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) centers. We use three batteries including demographic questionnaire, the Risky Sexual Behavior Questionnaire (RSBQ), and the Condom Barriers Scale (CBS). Analysis of variance post hoc and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) logistic regression tests were used in data analysisConclusion RSBs was prevalent among our study population. Our results suggest that RSBs and condom use barriers are significantly interwoven. The condom use barriers were highly associated with the types of sexual encounters such as group sex or casual sexual relations than specific mean of sexual performance (i.e anal sex). Gender-specific SRB, STIs/HIV/AIDS prevention program is recommended for women with SUDs.