RESEARCH PAPER
Investigating the sexual protective behaviour among HIV-positive women in Tehran, Iran
1
Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
2
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
3
Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
4
Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran
5
Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Submission date: 2019-03-14
Acceptance date: 2019-05-07
Publication date: 2019-09-09
HIV & AIDS Review 2019;18(3):215-221
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The third wave of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is rising due to high-risk sexual behaviours in Iran. In spite of launching programs to combat HIV in Iran, condom use frequency has not yet reached the optimal level, especially in high-risk groups. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual protection behaviours and awareness among HIV-positive women.
Material and methods:
This descriptive study was performed on 100 HIV-positive women who referred to the Voluntary and Counselling Centre (VCT) in Tehran and were recruited using a purposive sampling method. Data collection was carried out using HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) awareness and sexual protection behaviour questionnaires.
Results:
Condom use was practiced only by 22.2% in all their vaginal and anal sexual intercourse during the three months, and 77.8% of the women never used condoms or failed to use them continuously. Their sexual partners were HIV-positive in 71% of cases. The mean ± SD of awareness score about HIV/AIDS was 7.60 ± 3.31, indicating average awareness of the subjects in the study. A total of 49.1% of the participants stated that their sexual partners’ reluctance was the most important reason for non-use of condoms, while women were not willing to use condoms in 18.2% of cases.
Conclusions:
The results of the present study indicated poor sexual protection behaviours in HIV-positive women. As a result, gender-based harm reduction programs to promote safe sexual behaviour, awareness level, and negotiation power for condom use in HIV-positive women is more important than ever.
The third wave of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is rising due to high-risk sexual behaviours in Iran. In spite of launching programs to combat HIV in Iran, condom use frequency has not yet reached the optimal level, especially in high-risk groups. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual protection behaviours and awareness among HIV-positive women.
Material and methods:
This descriptive study was performed on 100 HIV-positive women who referred to the Voluntary and Counselling Centre (VCT) in Tehran and were recruited using a purposive sampling method. Data collection was carried out using HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) awareness and sexual protection behaviour questionnaires.
Results:
Condom use was practiced only by 22.2% in all their vaginal and anal sexual intercourse during the three months, and 77.8% of the women never used condoms or failed to use them continuously. Their sexual partners were HIV-positive in 71% of cases. The mean ± SD of awareness score about HIV/AIDS was 7.60 ± 3.31, indicating average awareness of the subjects in the study. A total of 49.1% of the participants stated that their sexual partners’ reluctance was the most important reason for non-use of condoms, while women were not willing to use condoms in 18.2% of cases.
Conclusions:
The results of the present study indicated poor sexual protection behaviours in HIV-positive women. As a result, gender-based harm reduction programs to promote safe sexual behaviour, awareness level, and negotiation power for condom use in HIV-positive women is more important than ever.
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