self-efficacy and perceived benefits / barriers on the aids preventive behaviors

background: drug users (opiate dependency) account for about 65% of all aids cases in iran. drug injection has been identified as the most common way of hiv transmission in these patients. this study aimed to determine self-efficacy, and perceived benefits / barriers of aids preventive behaviors in opiate dependency. methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009.the study population was 86 drug user men at re-birth association in zarandieh city. the data were collected using self-administered questionnaires includeing demographic characteristics, perceived benefits/barriers of self-efficacy and aids preventive behaviors. data was analyzed with anova, regression and correlation coefficients and descriptive statistical methods. results: regression analysis showed that age, education level, knowledge and perceived benefits/barriers, self-efficacy, all together explain 28% of aids preventive behaviors variance.  perceived barriers and self- efficacy were the most important predicting factor. 63% of the samples believed that they have ability of hiv-preventive behaviors. conclusion: the study showed the relationship of perceived benefits/barriers, self- efficacy with aids preventive behaviors. it is suggested that the findings of this study may be used as a basis for designing interventions to improve better performance in the concerned area.