Electronic versions

  • Bahram Armoon
    Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran
  • Mehdi Noroozi
    University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran
  • Zahra Jorjoran Shushtari
    University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran
  • Asaad Sharhani
    Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran
  • Elahe Ahounbar
    University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran
  • Salahedin Karimi
    University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran
  • Sina Ahmadi
    University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran
  • Ali Farhoudian
    University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran
  • Azam Rahmani
    Tehran University of Medical Sciences
  • Mohammad Abbasi
    Qom University of Medical Sciences
Background: In Iran there are limited data regarding HIV risk perceptions among people who inject drugs (PWID). The objective of this study was to explore HIV risk perception and to examine factors associated with the perception of HIV risk among PWID in Iran.

Methods: We surveyed 433 PWID in Kermanshah concerning demographic characteristics, sexual risk behaviors, HIV risk perception, and drug-related risk behaviors in the month prior to the study. Two classes of HIV risk perception (high vs. low) were identified. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with high HIV risk perception.

Result: Of 433 PWID who participated in this study, 36% (95% confidence interval; CI95%: 25.3%, 42.2%) of participants reported high HIV risk perception. Methamphetamine use (adjusted odds ration; AOR = 3.7, p < 0.05), or use of multiple drugs at the same time (AOR = 1.7, p < 0.05) was associated with higher HIV risk perception. Moreover, PWID who were NSP users had 2.8 times the odds of high risk perception compared with non-Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) users (AOR = 2.8) .

Conclusion: This study implies that initiating drug use at a younger age, using methamphetamine, polydrug use, and needle- and syringe-exchange program utilization were predictors of higher HIV risk perception among PWID in Iran
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)63-66
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Substance Use
Volume23
Issue number1
Early online date6 Sept 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2018
Externally publishedYes
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