Iranian Female Methadone Patients and the Perceived Educational Needs Related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Background: iranian female methadone patients are at risk of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) due to involvement in high-risk sexual behaviours and/or needle sharing. the present study aimed to explore the perceived educational needs related to hiv among a group of iranian female methadone patients. methods: the research design was qualitative and the participants were sampled purposively. semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 women and 19 clinicians in sari, mashhad, and tehran, iran. then, qualitative content analysis was implemented. findings: the emergence of three major themes and six minor themes was revealed. women expressed a need to increase their knowledge including women-specific pathophysiology and disease progression and the modes of the virus transmission and prevention. women also expressed a need to enhance their knowledge and skills related to the physical management of the virus including self-care and reproductive health. other themes included perceived psychosocial needs including removing stigma and access to resources in the community. conclusion: women reported a wide range of educational needs from basic knowledge to advanced skills. the findings can be used in designing women-specific educational programs related to hiv in iran. larger studies are suggested with gender-mixed samples in the persian context.