title: Methamphetamine use and treatment in Iran: A systematic review from the most populated Persian Gulf country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Methamphetamine use is a new health concern in Iran, the most populated Persian Gulf country. However, there is no well-documented literature. The current study objectives were to systematically review all published English and Persian studies of the prevalence of methamphetamine use, the general physical and psychiatric-related harms and the availability of methamphetamine treatment and harm reduction services for adult users in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of the international peer-reviewed and gray literature was undertaken. Multiple electronic and scientific English and Persian databases were systematically searched from January 2002 to September 2014. Additionally, English and Persian gray literature on methamphetamine use was sought using online gray literature databases, library databases and general online searches over the same period of time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen thousand and two hundred and eight studies, reports and conference papers were identified but only 42 studies were relevant to the study objectives. They were mainly published in 2010-2014. The search results confirmed the seizures of methamphetamine (six studies), the prevalence of methamphetamine use among the general population (three studies), drug users (four studies), women (nine studies) and opiate users in opiate treatment programs (five studies). In addition, methamphetamine use had resulted in blood-borne viral infections (one study), psychosis and intoxication (ten studies). Different reasons had facilitated methamphetamine use. However, the Matrix Model, community therapy and harm reduction services (four studies) had been provided for methamphetamine users in some cities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current situation of methamphetamine use necessitates more research on the epidemiology and health-related implications. These studies should help in identifying priorities for designing and implementing prevention and educational programs. More active models of engagement with Persian methamphetamine users and the provision of services that meet their specific treatment needs are required.
authors.affiliation: Program of International Research and Training, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: z.alammehrjerdi@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alam-mehrjerdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azarakhsh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mokri
authors.affiliation: Program of International Research and Training, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dolan
mesh_terms: D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Asia; HIV; Iran; Methamphetamine; Treatment