Applying theory of planned behavior to predict condom use intention among Iranian substance users covered by addiction treatment centers

ABSTRACT

Aim: Unprotected sex and injection drug use are considered as major risk factors associated with HIV infection in Iran. This theory-based study explains the predictability of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the intention to condom use among male substance users covered by addiction treatment centers. Method: This descriptive analytical study was performed on 163 male substance users who were admitted to addiction treatment centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Subjects were recruited by a simple randomized sampling method. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire containing demographic variables and TPB constructs. Data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis using SPSS16 software. Results: According to the results, 55.2% of participants reported having sex with 2 or more partners while only 38.65% of them had used a condom in their last sexual intercourse. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) was the strongest predictor of intention to condom use (P < 0.05). Conclusion: PBC can be used as a predictor of condom use intention, as well as effectively be considered in planning and intervention to prevent unprotected sex and subsequently sexually transmitted diseases among male substance users.

KEYWORDS:

• Addiction treatment centers
• condom use
• intention
• male

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The author report no conflict of interest in the undertaking of this research.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Hamadan Substance Use Treatment Center’s staffs and clients respectively for assistance and participation in this study.

Funding

This study was part of an MS thesis (Reference number: 4013), supported by the vice chancellor for Research and Technology of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The authors thank them for financial support.

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of an MS thesis (Reference number: 4013), supported by the vice chancellor for Research and Technology of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The authors thank them for financial support.