Extramarital Sexual Relationship In Before and After Marriage Married Women: A Cross Sectional Study in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Sexual contact is now the most common route of HIV/AIDS acquisition in the females of Iran. This study was aimed to declare these points.Methods: This questionnaire-based study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran. Married women were interviewed through a semi randomized and stratified population- based sampling in different areas Results: 483 married women with mean of age 31.3 ± 8.6 years were interviewed. Their mean of age at marriage was 21.4±3.8 years. 196 (40.6%) and 228 (47.2%) had diploma and higher educational levelrespectively. 38(7.8%) were not satisfied with their marital quality . 24(5.3%) had history of premarital sexual relationship and this figure for after marriage s illegal sexual relationship was 29(6%). 39(8.1%) were alcohol users. 32(6.6%) had history of sexual transmitted disease (STDx) and its treatment in the past. 389(80.5%) believed that testing of couples for HIV in pre-wedding stage should be mandatory, while 86(17.8%) were tested for HIV. Married women stated that in case of need to HIV testing, theyprefer to refer to private laboratories (88; 18.2%), Blood Transfusion Organization (27; 5.6%) and Public health counseling centers (21;4.3%). Only 36 (7.5%) knew about HIV/AIDS behavioral counseling center affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Conclusions: Establishment of more accessible and private counseling centers for females, including married women, should be addressed in the HIV national program. Moreover, mandating testing ofcouples for HIV/AIDS in pre-wedding stage should also be considered while respecting the ideas of the majorities of population about it and also its pros and cons.

Extramarital Sexual Relationship In Before and After Marriage Married Women: A Cross Sectional Study in Shiraz, Iran Keywords:

HIV , Attitude , Performance , Married , Women