Barriers to condom use among women at risk of HIV/AIDS: a qualitative study from Iran

Using the grounded theory methodology, participants’ experiences and their perceptions regarding condom were collected during semi structured in depth interviews. Participants were 22 women, aged 21–49 years, considered to be at risk for HIV, due to their own or their partner’s sexual behaviors. Qualitative analysis of the data was conducted manually and was guided by constant comparative analysis.Two main barriers, personal and socio-environmental emerged from data analysis. Lack of perceived threat, absence of protective motivation, inadequate knowledge, perceived lack of control, negative attitudes towards condom and misperception were the major personal barriers, while unsupportive environments and cultural norms were the common socio-environmental barriers to condom use among these at risk women.These critical barriers have to be addressed for implementing effective prevention programs against HIV among populations at risk for HIV.The estimated HIV prevalence of over five percent among injection drug users of Iran strongly indicates that the country is being threatened by an HIV epidemic. Despite the establishment of the National Harm Reduction program to overcome the growing trend of HIV among this high risk population, grave concerns are emerging regarding, in particular, sexual transmission of HIV. Although HIV prevalence in the general population in Iran is less than 1%, the growing prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and the major routes of transmission of HIV among infected women are the main concerns in HIV prevention program [1].One of the most effective strategies in preventing HIV is the correct and continuous use of condoms during sexual relations [2]. Promoting condom use and implementing supportive policies in reducing the growing trend of this disease and limiting the process of its spread play very significant roles [3]. Condom use is a complex behavior and the interactions between individual, environmental, social and structural factors