Frequency, correlates and consequences of early sexual intercourse among Iranian men who inject drugs

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the correlation between early sexual intercourse and its consequences among men who inject drugs (MWID) in Iran. In this cross-sectional survey, 2399 subjects who inject drugs were recruited using facility-based sampling from ten cities in 2014. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the participants’ sexual and drug-related practices. Early sexual intercourse was defined as having sex before the age of 18 years old. Among the study samples, 2333 subjects were men and 2027 of them reported a lifetime history of their sexual intercourse. Totally, 1978 (97.6%) MWID reported their age at the time of their first sexual intercourse. The prevalence of early sexual intercourse was estimated as 32.9%. Using the multivariable logistic regression, it was shown that early sexual contact is significantly associated with age < 30 years old (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 1.52; p-value < 0.001), and drug abuse debut < 16 years old (aOR: 3.49; p-value < 0.001). As well, those with a history of early sexual intercourse had more condomless sex during the last 12 months (aOR: 1.46; p-value < 0.001). Moreover, they had more access to a free condom within 12 months (aOR: 1.31; p-value = 0.04). One in three MWID experienced early sexual intercourse. MWID who had early sexual intercourse were younger. They had higher risk profiles such as drug abuse at a younger age, as well as more outcomes like condomless sex in the last 12 months. So, age at the time of the first sexual intercourse should be considered in sexual health and HIV prevention programs among MWID.