eISSN: 1689-3530
ISSN: 0867-4361
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction/Alkoholizm i Narkomania
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1/2021
vol. 34
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Risk factors and determinants of sex trade behaviours among the male homeless population in Iran

Masumeh Ghazanfarpour
1
,
Jamal Aliabadi
2
,
Afshar Sahmahammadi
3
,
Sara Sadr
4
,
Hamed Jafarpour
4
,
Sara Mohammadnia
5
,
Saeed Dashti Dargahloo
4
,
Shahrzad Khosravifar
6
,
Masoudeh Babakhanian
7

  1. Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
  2. Tehran of Welfare Organization, Allameh Tabataba’i University of Social Work, Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran
  3. Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Ali and Taleghani Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
  4. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  5. Imam Hossein Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  6. Ali Asghar Children Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  7. Student Research Committee, Psychiatry and Behavioral Research Centre, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Alcohol Drug Addict 2021; 34 (1): 79-90
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ain.2021.107712
Online publish date: 2021/07/11
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Introduction
This study aimed to investigate sex-related behaviours and the risk factors for prostitution and its related variables among homeless men in Tehran.

Material and methods
This cross-sectional study was performed on 247 homeless men (18-55 years old) living in temporary shelters in southeast Tehran between 2017 and 2018. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview containing demographic information, medical history and the level of exposure to prostitution. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS-22 using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multivariable regressions.

Results
Participants had a mean age of 37.5 years. The mean duration of homelessness was 3.7 years. Most participants were single, had primary education and a history of imprisonment. The most common reason for prostitution was poverty especially considering the need to financially support addiction mostly to methamphetamine, heroin and cigarettes. We found a correlation between prostitution and risky sexual acts, substance abuse, psychological and mental health disorders and infection (p < 0.05).

Discussion
As has also been shown in other studies, mental health issues and psychoactive substance abuse increase the risk for prostitution. Homelessness is associated with substance abuse and prostitution is a major source of income for homeless individuals. So mental disorders, substance abuse and homelessness form a vicious cycle that exacerbate one another and heighten the risks and prevalence of prostitution.

Conclusions
Given the rice in homelessness rate and consequently prostitution, transmission of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis has increased. The provision of housing, job opportunities, social and medical support can protect the homeless from mental health disorders and drug abuse and the chance of risky sexual acts can be reduced.

keywords:

Prostitution, Homelessness, Iran, Street- working, Sex-trade, sex transmitted disease
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