Sexual and reproductive health problems of female university students in Iran: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Youth is defined as the time of transition into adulthood and an important period in a person's life. During this period new behavior is learned easier than adulthood. Therefore, special attention has to be necessarily paid to this period in order to promote the health. Addressing adolescent reproductive health issues is also a critical factor METHODS: This research was a qualitative study conducted from January 2014 to July 2014. Data from focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with 25 female students and 10 key members of the university (including university authorities, consultants, reproductive health professionals and university officials) was collected and all interviews were recorded, formulated and classified. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 22.43 years. A total of 8 students majored in geology, 5 majored in chemistry, 3 in statistics, 3 in mathematics, and 6 in biology. 17 had a bachelor's degree, 3 master's degree and 5 doctorate degree. Majority of students (82.4%) were never married and 23 of them lived in dormitories. The following three main themes were extracted from the interviews: Reproduction thought as pregnancy; the taboo of sex; and inappropriate relation between parents and children. CONCLUSION: Most participants stressed the need to provide reproductive health services for young girls.

Contraception Use among Iranian Women With HIV: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The application of family planning methods to people with HIV not only prevents unwanted pregnancy, but also leads to a reduction in the possibility of transmission of the virus from the patient to the sexual partner and the fetus. In order to prevent the spread of HIV and enhance reproductive rights, it is necessary to inform women with HIV of the contraception methods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of HIV positive women about contraception use. METHOD: This qualitative study was conducted on 18 women with HIV who were at reproductive age and had referred the Center for clients with Risky Behavior in Imam Khomeini Hospital. Data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method in MAXQDA 10. RESULTS: The following two themes were derived from descriptions of the use of contraception methods by women with HIV: 1) Contraception is the forgotten component of reproductive health services; 2) inconsistent condom use. Each theme also contained three sub-themes. CONCLUSION: Results of investigations showed that Risky Behavior consultation Centers mostly stress the use of condom for husband/sexual partners without HIV. In addition, since health care practitioners play an important role in provision of reproductive health services, their lack of knowledge and cooperation considerably contribute to the spread of the disease and violation of patient rights.

Prevalence and risk factors for domestic violence against infertile women in an Iranian setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for domestic violence against women with female factor infertility in an Iranian setting. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey conducted from August 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010, 400 women with primary infertility attending Valiasr Reproductive Health Research Center in Tehran, Iran, were interviewed using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales questionnaire (CTS(2)). This instrument was developed to investigate the presence domestic violence. RESULTS: A total of 247 women (61.8%) reported having experienced domestic violence because of their infertility. The most common type of violence was psychological (n=135 [33.8%]), followed by physical (n=56 [14%]) and sexual (n=32 [8%]), with 24 women (6%) reporting injuries. All women reported their husbands to be the perpetrators. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence against infertile women is a considerable yet unreported problem. Clinicians should identify the abused women and provide them with medical care and supportive counseling.