Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017

Abstract Background Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition is crucial for promoting preventive behaviors among people in prisons. This cross-sectional study examined self-perception of HIV risk and associated factors among people in prisons in Iran. Methods In 2017, we conducted a cross-section...

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Main Authors: Zahra Abdolahinia, Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi, Soheil Mehmandoost, AliAkbar Haghdoost, Abedin Iranpour, Mohammad Karamouzian, Hamid Sharifi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21518-9
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author Zahra Abdolahinia
Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi
Soheil Mehmandoost
AliAkbar Haghdoost
Abedin Iranpour
Mohammad Karamouzian
Hamid Sharifi
author_facet Zahra Abdolahinia
Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi
Soheil Mehmandoost
AliAkbar Haghdoost
Abedin Iranpour
Mohammad Karamouzian
Hamid Sharifi
author_sort Zahra Abdolahinia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition is crucial for promoting preventive behaviors among people in prisons. This cross-sectional study examined self-perception of HIV risk and associated factors among people in prisons in Iran. Methods In 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Iran using multistage random sampling approach to recruit participants from 33 prisons in Iran. Eligible participants were adult people in prisons for at least one week. Data were collected via gender-matched face-to-face interviews using a standard HIV risk assessment questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify correlates of high self-perceived HIV risk. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results Among 5,422 HIV-negative participants (94.0% men; mean age 35.7 years), 6.8% (95% CI: 6.1–7.5%) reported high self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition. Among these, 3.6%, 5.2%, and 8.4% reported zero, one, and more than one risky behavior, respectively. Higher odds of high self-perceived risk were associated with being < 30 years old (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13–2.00), having never got married (AOR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12–2.23), engaging in condomless sex (AOR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.13–2.16), same-sex practices among men (AOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.43–2.51), and recent sexually transmitted infection symptoms (AOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.19–3.57). Conclusions A notable gap exists between actual HIV risk behaviors and self-perceived risk among people in prisons in Iran. Targeted prison-based educational interventions are essential to improve risk awareness and promote HIV prevention behaviors among this marginalized population.
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spelling doaj-art-8b25c7cf07bc4d4ebb6adb7b2f01217c2025-02-02T12:46:13ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-02-012511810.1186/s12889-025-21518-9Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017Zahra Abdolahinia0Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi1Soheil Mehmandoost2AliAkbar Haghdoost3Abedin Iranpour4Mohammad Karamouzian5Hamid Sharifi6HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesCentre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s HospitalHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition is crucial for promoting preventive behaviors among people in prisons. This cross-sectional study examined self-perception of HIV risk and associated factors among people in prisons in Iran. Methods In 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Iran using multistage random sampling approach to recruit participants from 33 prisons in Iran. Eligible participants were adult people in prisons for at least one week. Data were collected via gender-matched face-to-face interviews using a standard HIV risk assessment questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify correlates of high self-perceived HIV risk. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results Among 5,422 HIV-negative participants (94.0% men; mean age 35.7 years), 6.8% (95% CI: 6.1–7.5%) reported high self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition. Among these, 3.6%, 5.2%, and 8.4% reported zero, one, and more than one risky behavior, respectively. Higher odds of high self-perceived risk were associated with being < 30 years old (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13–2.00), having never got married (AOR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12–2.23), engaging in condomless sex (AOR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.13–2.16), same-sex practices among men (AOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.43–2.51), and recent sexually transmitted infection symptoms (AOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.19–3.57). Conclusions A notable gap exists between actual HIV risk behaviors and self-perceived risk among people in prisons in Iran. Targeted prison-based educational interventions are essential to improve risk awareness and promote HIV prevention behaviors among this marginalized population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21518-9HIVPrisonsIncarcerationDrug useUnprotected sex
spellingShingle Zahra Abdolahinia
Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi
Soheil Mehmandoost
AliAkbar Haghdoost
Abedin Iranpour
Mohammad Karamouzian
Hamid Sharifi
Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017
BMC Public Health
HIV
Prisons
Incarceration
Drug use
Unprotected sex
title Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017
title_full Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017
title_fullStr Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017
title_full_unstemmed Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017
title_short Self-perception of risk for HIV acquisition among people in prisons in Iran: A nationwide survey in 2017
title_sort self perception of risk for hiv acquisition among people in prisons in iran a nationwide survey in 2017
topic HIV
Prisons
Incarceration
Drug use
Unprotected sex
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21518-9
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