title: Having Multiple Sexual Partners among Iranian Intra-Venous Drug Users.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transmission of HIV from intra-venous drug users (IDUs) to the community occurs predominantly through high-risk sexual behaviors. Limited information exists regarding the high-risk sexual behaviors of IDUs in Iran.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with having multiple sexual partners among Iranian IDUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a national survey on drug-dependent adults. Participants were sampled from medical centers, prisons, and streets of capitals of 29 provinces in Iran between May 2007 and February 2008. We analyzed data of 1416 current IDUs. Socio-demographics and drug use characteristics were entered into a binary logistic regression model to determine predictors of having multiple sexual partners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Having multiple sexual partners in the past or at the time of survey was reported by 56.4% of Iranian IDUs. Multivariate analysis showed that the likelihood of having multiple sexual partners in IDUs decreased by being married [odds ratio (OR), 0.38; P < 0.001] and increased by female gender (OR, 13.44; P = 0.02), having illegal income (OR, 1.72; P = 0.003), higher monthly family income (OR, 1.01; P = 0.003), pleasure, curiosity, and recreation as cause of first drug use (OR, 1.37; P = 0.04), ruins as usual place for injection (OR, 1.89; P = 0.001) and history of syringe sharing (OR, 1.50; P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having multiple sexual partners was reported by majority of Iranian IDUs, and this was linked to socio-demographics, initiation data, and other risk behaviors. This information should be considered in prevention efforts to reduce sexual transmission of HIV infection in Iran.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health , Ann Arbor, MI , USA ; Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health , Ann Arbor, MI , USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine , Ann Arbor, MI , USA ; Social Determinant of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Shervin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assari
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bu-Ali Sina University , Hamedan , Iran.
authors.forename: Mosaieb
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yarmohamadivasel
authors.affiliation: Universal Network for Health Information Dissemination and Exchange , Tehran , Iran ; Medicine and Health Promotion Institute , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moghani Lankarani
authors.affiliation: Universal Network for Health Information Dissemination and Exchange , Tehran , Iran ; Medicine and Health Promotion Institute , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sehat
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran , Iran ; Center for Behavioral and Social Research, Darius Institute , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Hooman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Narenjiha
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran , Iran ; Center for Behavioral and Social Research, Darius Institute , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rafiey
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Noori
authors.affiliation: Pediatric NeuroRehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Peymaneh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shirinbayan
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Khodabakhsh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
keywords: HIV infection; Iran; high-risk behaviors; injection drug users; multiple sexual partnership; sexual behaviors