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.

Keywords:

HIV , Attitude , Performance , Married , Women