Non-Job Related HIV Risk Factors Among Medial Universities Students: A Cross Sectional Study in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Background: Till now, we know more about job-related risk factors of HIV transmission among medical students, but this study aimed to reveal non-job related factors among this group of population.Method: Medical and paramedical students were interviewed through filling questionnaire. Data was analyzed in SPSS.Results: Ninety eight participated in this survey. Female (62 ; 63.2%) to Male (35; 35.7%) ratio was 1.7. Median of age was 22 years (range: 18-32 years). 38(38.7%) were medical (medicine, pharmacy and dentistry) students and 60 (61.2%) were paramedical (nursery, midwifery) students. Overall 27(27.5%) had history of sexual contact and 17 of this group (63%) disclosed their tendency toward continue their sexual contacts as before. 15 (6 medical and 9 paramedical students) of 27 (55.5%) students with history of sexual contact used to use condom regularly in their sexual contacts while 8 of 27(29.6%) used condom only for contraception. Emotional needs, sexual needs and mobile messages were the most common triggers of sexual contact among participants. Regular Smoking [15.7%,15.5%,p=0.9], Alcohol using[10.5%,26.6%,p=0.07], Opium using [5%,0%,FE=1.5], Tattooing [0%,10%,FE=0.07] were among studied behaviors in medical and paramedical groups respectively. Conclusion: At least 1 of 4 medical and paramedical university students had extramarital sexual contacts and only 1 of 2 use condom regularly in their sexual contacts. When these figures are added to Job related risks for HIV acquisition in medical related job, it recalls for a more effective preventive interventions to protection these students against HIV/AIDS.

Keywords:

HIV , Sexual , Behavior , Medical , Students