Pnm-2: Unprotected Sexual Relationship and Socially Damaged Women

Background: Socially damaged women population is reportedly at higher risk for STIs than the general population. The objective of this study was to explore the cause of unprotected sexual relationship among socially damaged women. Materials and Methods: Qualitative method was utilized to determine family's role in HIV/AIDS/STD risk behaviors. Between February to May 2013 two focus groups and eighteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with socially damaged women, 15-45 years old, at shelters and drop-in-Centers in Tehran, Iran. Total interview was recorded and typed word to word. Data was analyzed using the content analysis approach. Results: Women in this sample ranged in age from 17 to 43 with the majority being in their Thirties. More than half of them had primary or middle school education. Slightly more than three quarters of them, 14 (77%), were divorced, and more than four fifth of them, 16 (88%), were drug abusers. Two of the participants were injection drug users and four of the participants were consuming alcohol. All participants were heavy smokers. Two third of the interviewees, 12 (66%), were homeless. More than half of them lived in shelters and three of the interviewees lived in parks. More than two thirds of the interviewees were sex workers, while all of participants were sexually active. Two third of the interviewees, 12 (66%) had Imprisonment record. Most of participants (88%) had an unprotected sexual relationship. The reasons of having an unprotected sexual relationship included the need to have financial and emotional support, disturbance in pleasure, and misconception about the use of condoms. Financial need was the most important reason for a majority of the participants to have sexual relationships. Conclusion: The study results emphasizes on the need for affiliated organizations to conduct preventive and damage-reducing programs continuously and accurately, to offer effective training to exposed group, and to provide expert consultation.