Title of article :
Pathways to Addiction: A Gender-Based Study on Drug Use in a Triangular Clinic and Drop-in Center, Kerman, Iran
Author/Authors :
Zolala، Farzaneh نويسنده Regional Knowledge Hub for HIV/ AIDS Surveillance, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Department, Kerman University of Medical Sciences , , Mahdavian، Mina نويسنده Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran , , Haghdoost، Ali Akbar نويسنده Research Center for Modeling of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , , Karamouzian، Mohammad نويسنده Researcher at the Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute of Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman ,
Abstract :
Addiction is characterized differently among women and men, and they begin using drugs for different reasons and motives. The aim of the study was to explore the gendered experiences and patterns of illicit drug use initiation in an Iranian context. A total of 29 participants (15 men and 14 women) took part in in-depth interviews conducted at a HIV triangulation clinic (for men and women) and drop-in-center for women in Kerman in 2011. The results of the study suggest that patterns of drug use are different among among Iranian men and women. Men often transit to drug use from cigarette smoking, whereas women’s drug use practices often begins with opium. Unlike women, men who used drugs were often single at their drug use debut. Different patterns of first exposure to drug use among men and women highlight the role of gendered expectations and socio-cultural norms in shaping drug use experiences of people who use drugs and call for gender-specific harm reduction interventions.
