E.m Razzaghi , A Rahimi Movaghar , K Mohammad , M Hosseini ,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (4 2004)
Abstract
There are about 200,000 injecting drug users (IDUs) in Iran. HIV/AIDS is closely associated with IDU in Iran. The objective of this study was to explore unhealthy sex behavior and the interventions for its control in IDUs.
A qualitative method was employed. Six districts in Tehran with a population of 400,000 were selected. These districts differed in socioeconomic characteristics, urban structure, IDU prevalence and crime rates. A total of 81 key informants from different sectors and 154 IDUs were selected by purposeful, opportunistic and snowball sampling, and interviewed individually or in groups. Ethnographic observations were done to study life situation in the subjects.
In one district no cases of IDU were found. In others, sexual promiscuity in IDUs was reported to be common. IDUs report sexual relationship to be more common with sex wrkers. In most of these areas, access to commercial sex is believed to be easy. Sex workers, themselves are commonly drug users, half of them are actually IDUs. Safe sex (e.g., use of condoms) is not a common habit. Homosexual relationship seems to be uncommon in IDUs and there were no reports of condom use in this type of contact. According to IDUs, dealing with this problem would require financial support and drug distribution for preventing sex work, and settlement and organization of sex workers as a prelude to effective sex education and promotion of condoms.
Expansion of injecting drug use and its relationship with blood-borne infections in recent years necessitates rapid interventions for controlling injection drug use and the associated risks. As unhealthy sex behavior seems to be common in IDUs, sex education, free condom distribution in drug abuse treatment centers and other health facilities (with the use of outreach methods) is highly recommended.
R Rad Goodarzi , A Rahimi Movaghar , E Sahimi Izadian , M.r Mohammadi , M Vazirian ,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (3 2005)
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to assess preparedness and function of health system in the management of withdrawal symptoms in opioid dependents after Bam earthquake, the methods that medical staff used for identification of dependents, the viewpoints of the medical staff as well as opioid dependents about the roles of health system, and the appropriate methods for managing opioid dependence after disaster.
This qualitative study was carried out in the city of Bam, one of its nearby villages and eight hospitals in Tehran and Kerman, admitting earthquake victims. Our analysis was based on 163 semi-structured interviews, with drug abusers, their family members, people living in Bam, service providers, and the authorities.
No specific training for drug abuse was reported by medical staff. No guideline or program was available for prevention and management of drug dependence in disasters. Most of the medical staff had negative attitudes toward involvement in treatment of opioid dependence. During the first two weeks after the earthquake, medical management of the withdrawal symptoms was inadequate. Most of the interviewees suggested managing the withdrawal symptoms with prescribing opioid agonists and then treating the opioid dependence following improvement of physical injuries and stability of social situation.
In disaster situations, the consequences of inadequate management of opioid dependence can be ominous. Such consequences consist of a change in incidence of substance use, intensity of use and dependence, type of substance and route of use to more dangerous ways. Therefore, a practical protocol (disaster planning) is needed for prevention and management of substance dependence in the times of crises.
Zahra Malery Khah Langeroudi, Afarin Rahimi Movaghar, Shahnaz Delbarpour Ahmadi, Masoumeh Esmaeili,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and aim: In Iran, HIV prevalence in sex workers is reaching to an epidemic, but still consistent use of condoms is low. This qualitative study aimed to assess barriers to condom use in female sex workers (FSWs).
Materials and Methods: We conducted individual in-depth interviews with 40 FSWs and 12 partners in the year 2010 in Tehran. The FSWs were purposefully selected from four different groups based on the level of socioeconomic status and history of using substance. Findings were extracted and coded manually and the responses of the groups were categorized and compared.
Results: Almost all FSWs had not used condoms regularly in the past six months. The main barriers of condom use were: lack of awareness of the modes of transmission of HIV and prognosis of the disease, doubt on the role of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, fear of violence or rejection by male customers, reluctance of sexual partners to use condoms due to diminution of sexual pleasure, and believing in health of some customers.
Conclusions: Increasing awareness of the FSWs through education about HIV, ways to prevent the disease and empowering them on negotiating skills to use condoms as part of harm reduction programs are recommended .
