Insights from a survey of sexual behavior among a group of at-risk women in Tehran, Iran, 2006

AIDS Educ Prev. 2007 Dec;19(6):519-30. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2007.19.6.519.

Abstract

Despite high rates of HIV among male injection drug users, the sexual behaviors of at-risk women in Iran remain unknown. A questionnaire on HIV knowledge and risk behavior was administered in a Tehran nongovernmental organization targeting runaways and other women seeking safe haven. Half (total N = 50) were less than 24 years old; baseline HIV knowledge was high. The few who acknowledged using illicit substances said they used "frequently." Nonresponse rates to questions regarding sexual behavior were high (12 of 50). Half admitted a history of sexual activity; 40% of those reported their first sexual contact with someone other than their husband; three people had multiple partners. Three women reported a history of rape. Zero (97.5% one-sided confidence interval [CI] = 0, 0.17) of 35 women tested positive for HIV or syphilis. This study documents the existence of sexual behavior in a population of Iranian women, represents one of the first attempts at sexual research in the Iranian context, and highlights challenges in surveying this vulnerable group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior* / statistics & numerical data