title: Women-only drug treatment services and needs in Iran: the first review of current literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iran (Persia) has a women-only drug treatment system. However, literature is not documented. The current study aimed to review the development of women-only drug treatment and harm reduction services (WODTHRS) and the factors associated with treatment entry and outcomes in Iran. The review was based on a comprehensive search for all literature focusing on WODTHRS in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected by conducting systematic searching of scientific English and Persian databases and grey literature. This was done in line with Cochrane Guideline for conducting systematic reviews. Overall, 19,929 studies were found. But, only 19 original studies were included after excluding non-relevant studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The review findings indicate how WODTHRS have been developed in the past 15 years. The review findings underscore the roles of numerous factors in treatment entry such as the side effects of illicit drug use. In addition, cognitive-behavioral interventions, methadone treatment and some factors outside drug treatment such as family support increase positive treatment outcomes among women. In contrast, financial problems as well as other factors such as insufficient medical, psychiatric and social work services hamper treatment entry and positive treatment outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review results highlight that eliminating barriers to treatment entry and positive treatment outcomes should be addressed. Conducting randomized controlled trials is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of WODTHRS. This issue should address the factors influencing service utilization to incorporate the best practice for women. The evaluation of the long-term efficacy of WODTHRS is a critical research gap which should be addressed in future studies.
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: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alam-mehrjerdi
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. prof.reza.daneshmand@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Daneshmand
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Behavior Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mercedeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samiei
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Samadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdollahi
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: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*