Predictors of HIV-related high-risk sexual behaviors among female substance users

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to explore predictors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related risky sexual behaviors among women with substance use. A total of 150 women were selected from harm reduction centers in Tehran, Iran, and completed the risk behavior assessment, the Beck depression inventory, the revised self-efficacy scale, and the peer group beliefs regarding HIV-related risk behaviors scale. The results showed that age (β = −.07, P ˂ .01) and exchange of sex for drugs or money (β = 3.34, P ˂ .001) were significant predictors of whether women had multiple sex partners. Moreover, depression (β = .06, P ˂ .05), exchange of sex for drugs or money (β = 1.42, P ˂ .01), and self-efficacy (β = −.19, P ˂ .001) significantly predicted unprotected sex among women with substance use. Accordingly, providing female substance users with harm reduction services and developing HIV prevention programs are likely to decrease high-risk sexual behaviors and consequent HIV infection within this vulnerable group.