Patterns of sexual behaviors and related factors among prisoners in Iran: results from a national survey in 2015

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine patterns of sexual behaviors and related factors among prisoners in Iran, 2015. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was a part of a bio-behavioral surveillance survey conducted on 6,200 prisoners in 26 prisons in Iran. The subjects were selected through multi-stage sampling. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data on participant’s demographics and history of sexual behaviors. Using STATA-12 software, the collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, and crude and adjusted logistic regression. Findings A total of 5,508 prisoners with a response rate of 88.8 percent participated in this study. Of all prisoners, 55 percent (n=3,027) had a history of “unsafe sex in the lifetime” of whom 53.4 percent (n=1,549) never used condoms during unsafe sex in the lifetime. Based on the results of multivariate analysis, risk factors for “unsafe sex in lifetime” were the following: higher level of education (AOR=1.79, CI: 1.41–2.28), being single (AOR=1.32, CI: 1.18–1.47), unemployed before imprisonment (AOR=1.45, CI: 1.06–1.97), having history of previous imprisonment (AOR=1.31, CI: 1.17–1.47) and history of drug use in the lifetime (AOR=1.53, CI: 1.35–1.75). Originality/value Prisoners are high-risk groups that are prone to practice unsafe sex. Prisoners who are single, unemployed before imprisonment, a drug user, with a higher level of education and with a history of imprisonment are likely to be sexually active in their lifetime. Thus, they are a priority for receiving suitable interventions.

Retracted: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and associated risk behaviors in prisoners: A systematic review

“… 63 One large study in Iran among a total of 5508 prisoners, reported 55% rate of had unsafe sex in their lifetime, of whom 53.4% had never used condoms during mentioned unsafe sex. 64 Another large study among 5530 inmates in Iran, reported that only 24.7% of participants had used condom at last vaginal/anal sex in prison. 65 Thus, unsafe sexual behavior in prisons due to poor access to preventive methods, and poor general knowledge of STIs is an important risk factor for developing STIs.…”

“…They also mentioned STIs' transmission routes ignorance as a risk factor for HBV and HCV infection 63 . One large study in Iran among a total of 5508 prisoners, reported 55% rate of had unsafe sex in their lifetime, of whom 53.4% had never used condoms during mentioned unsafe sex 64 . Another large study among 5530 inmates in Iran, reported that only 24.7% of participants had used condom at last vaginal/anal sex in prison 65 .…”

Prevalence of Symptom-based Sexually Transmitted Infections and Related Factors among Incarcerated Men in Iran, 2013

“…It is reported that only 15% of prisoners are being tested for HIV at their entrance to the prison, and there is no screening program for other STIs( 23 ). Furthermore, the results of a national survey indicate that 55% of Iranian prisoners have had a history of unsafe sex in their lives ( 24 ). While prisoners are being taught about STIs in triangular clinics, most prisoners are reluctant to present their symptoms or seek treatment.…”

Barriers to healthcare delivery in Iranian prisons: a qualitative study

“…There are approximately 235 prisons in Iran that are managed by the state prison and security and corrective measures organization. The number of prisoners in Iran in 2017 was 230,000 (Moradi et al , 2019) rising from 225,624 in 2014 (Bagheri Lankarani et al , 2017).…”

“…A total of 25% of all prisoners were waiting either for trial or on temporary arrest. Female, young and foreign prisoners comprised 3.1, 0.5 and 2.5% of the total population, respectively (Moradi et al , 2019). The number of prisoners per 100,000 of Iranian population is 290; this is more than the global average (Vatani et al , 2017).…”