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Predictors of Condom Use Among Iranian Women at Risk of HIV

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An Erratum to this article was published on 30 November 2015

Abstract

Sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS is increasing in Iran and is the main route of infection among women. In order to foster the development of future HIV prevention interventions for women, researchers need to understand the factors that influence sexual risk reduction behaviors in this group. The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of condom use among women at risk of HIV and develop a model of condom use in a sample of women at risk of HIV. We cross-sectionally examined predictors of condom use among 200 women at risk of HIV. Women were recruited from drop-in centers and voluntary counseling and testing centers in Tehran. Condom use among women at risk of HIV was examined using path analysis, and fit indices showed a good fit for the model. Condom use self-efficacy, social support, and less stereotypic gender roles influenced sexually protective behaviors of women at risk of HIV. Our results can provide a basis for future gender-specific intervention programs among women at risk of HIV. Researchers, practitioners, and organizations that play a central role in protecting the health of this population can make use of these results for the benefit of sexual and reproductive health programs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their thanks to the individuals who willingly participated in this study and shared their time and experiences with us. Without them, this study would not be possible. This research was conducted in partial fulfillment of a Ph.D. degree in Reproductive Health at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

    Razieh Lotfi

  2. Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

    Razieh Lotfi

  3. Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani

  4. School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

    Delara Salehifar

  5. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Shari L. Dworkin

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  1. Razieh Lotfi
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Correspondence to Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani.

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Lotfi, R., Ramezani Tehrani, F., Salehifar, D. et al. Predictors of Condom Use Among Iranian Women at Risk of HIV. Arch Sex Behav 45, 429–437 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0603-4

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