Application theory of planned behavior on promotion of safe sexual behaviors among drug users

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to apply the theory of planned behavior on the promotion of safe sexual behaviors among drug users covered by Fasa’s drug user’s center. In the phase I of this study, 225 men drug users referring to rehabilitation centers in Fasa City, Fars Province, Iran were selected by simple sampling method in 2016. Also, in a quasi-experimental study in the second phase, 120 drug users participated (60 participants in the experimental group and 60 participants in the control group). Data were collected using a questionnaire containing demographic information and the theory of planned behavior constructs which was distributed before and three months after the intervention.61. 33% of the participants had the history of extramarital sexual intercourse and 28% had used condoms in their last sexual intercourse. After educational intervention, the mean scores of the theory constructs, in the intervention group increased significantly (P < 0.001), while the changes were not significant in the control group. Moreover, 65% of the drug users in the intervention group had safe sex behaviors.

KEYWORDS:

• Drug users
• Fasa City
• intention
• sexual behavior
• the theory of planned behavior

Acknowledgments

The researchers appreciate Dr. Nasrin Shokrpour at the Research Improvement Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for improving the use of English in the manuscript.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fasa University of Medical Sciences.