A Qualitative Study on Methamphetamine-Related Sexual High-Risk Behaviors in an Iranian Context

Abstract

Background: In the recent decade, Iran encountered the explosion of using methamphetamine and its consequences, including sexual high-risk behaviors. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of methamphetamine use on sexual highrisk in methamphetamine user males seeking treatment in public and private addiction treatment centers in Tehran, Iran, in 2013. Materials and Methods: A qualitative content analysis approach was conducted using semi-structured interviews strategy and focus group discussion. The main focus of the questions was “Can you explain sexual experiences related to methamphetamine dependency?” Then the narrative responses and the statements of 35 participants including methamphetamine users, their partners, and physicians, who focused on addiction treatment and research, were analyzed. Results: Three main categories emerged from the analysis of interviews; each of these categories possessed a number of subcategories. These categories included “different attitudes towards sexual behaviors”, “compulsive sexual behaviors and “health-related issues in sexual relationships.” Conclusions: The methamphetamine use can predispose Iranian addicts to sexual high-risk behaviors. The methamphetamine users have multiple sexual partners; most of them do not use a condom, have sex with methamphetamine users, and have compulsive sexual behaviors.