Sexual satisfaction and body image in outpatient male opioids users receiving harm reduction services

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Substance use causes many negative physical and psychological problems. This study aimed to compare male opioids users receiving harm reduction services with non-users in terms of sexual satisfaction and body image.

Method: A total of 150 male patients with opioids use disorder were recruited by the convenience sampling method from six harm reduction drug treatment centers in Tehran, Iran. These patients were compared with 150 male non-users in terms of sexual satisfaction and body image measured by the Index of Sexual Satisfaction and Body-Esteem Scale, respectively.

Results: Data analysis using ANCOVA and MANCOVA indicated that non-users reported a higher level of sexual satisfaction [F (1,295) = 98.57; p <.01] and a better body image than opioids users receiving harm reduction services.

Conclusion: Current results showed considerable negative effects of opioids use on men’s sexual satisfaction and body image. Accordingly, addressing these problems in the treatment of patients with opioids use disorder is of great importance.

KEYWORDS:

• Body image
• harm reduction
• sexual satisfaction
• substance use

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declared no conflicts of interest concerning the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.