%0 Journal Article %T Iranian Female Methadone Patients and the Perceived Educational Needs Related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus %J Addiction and Health %I Kerman University of Medical Sciences %Z 2008-4633 %A Zarghami, Mehran %A Bagheri, Maedeh %A Bahari, Hamed %A Tufani, Khatereh %A Mahjoub, Alireza %A Daneshmand, Reza %A Alammehrjerdi, Zahra %A Mohammadian, Raheleh %A Massah, Omid %D 2018 %\ 12/01/2018 %V 10 %N 4 %P 242-249 %! Iranian Female Methadone Patients and the Perceived Educational Needs Related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus %K drugs %K Harm reduction %K Human Immunodeficiency Virus %K Iran %K treatment %K Women %R 10.22122/ahj.v10i4.672 %X 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 %U https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_87473_048ea045d2323e60289ec4aeeb3486b3.pdf