methamphetamine dependence among iranian female methadone patients: a cross-sectional survey of three cities of iran

Background: methamphetamine (ma) dependence is a health concern in iran (persia). one main impacted group is female methadone patients. objectives: the aim of this paper was to briefly report the prevalence of ma dependence among female methadone patients in 3 large cities of iran. the other aim was to report the status of psychological well-being and social functioning among ma-dependent and non-ma dependent participants. methods: in the first survey of iran, 570 females were recruited from 38 main methadone clinics in mashhad, karaj, and isfahan. a researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect baseline demographics, details of ma use, and treatment history. results: of them, 266 females were ma-dependent. in other words, the prevalence of ma dependence among females was 46.6%. the length of ma dependence was 5 years. the adverse health impacts of high doses of methadone use were the main self-reported reasons for ma dependence. these adverse health impacts included depression (n = 118, 44.36%), oversleeping (n = 88, 33.08%), and low physical energy to do the housework (n = 60, 22.55%). however, lifetime ma treatment was only 25%. the prevalence of ma dependence was significantly associated with poor psychological well-being (p < 0.01) and social dysfunction (p < 0.01) among ma dependent females compared with non-ma dependent females. conclusions: methamphetamine dependence was common and associated with serious health problems. special treatment services should be provided for these females.