A study of sexuality and condom use among injection drug users participating in Methadone substitution treatment

[[abstract]]The purpose of this study is that to know the circumstances of sexuality and condom using among Methadone substitution treatment attendants. The researcher applied IMB Model to analyze the participants’ behaviors. The research is focus on the factors which affect the condom using rate of the participants. The analysis is based on 192 questionnaires (male: 142 people, female: 50 people). The participants were heroin-addicted individuals and also the outpatient of the medical center in Tai-Chung City. The methods of statistical analysis are Chi-square, t-test, Pearson’s product-moment correlation, and structural equation modeling (Mplus). The results are:（1）99％ of participants have intercourse experiences. Their first experiences happened at the average age 17.78 years old. 73.2% of them did not use condom at their first intercourse.（2）During using heroin periods and one month before and after this survey, the participants’ sexual relationships are almost monogamous. Male were more likely to have multiple sexual partners than female do. Conversely, female had more high-risk sexual partners such as drug users.（3）There are three reasons for not using condom when the participants had been doing intercourse: condom was not available when they started sexuality, it was not necessary to use condom, and participants didn’t like to use condom.（4）Compare to HIV negative participants, HIV positive participants were reported greater rate of using condoms.（5）IDUs were less likely to use condoms with their primary sexual partners. The rate of using condom among IDUs is decreased by feeling of discomforted, experiencing inconvenience of purchase and use.（6）There are significant differences of sexual dysfunction, the rate of using condom, and numbers of sex partners between Methadone substitution treatment. Their situations are improved after Methadone substitution treatment.（7）MPlus demonstrated that IMB Model are compatible with the data. IMB Model explained approximately 75% of the variance in behavioral skills and 52％ of the variance of using condom during one month after this survey. It is suggested that:（1）Conducting long-term research could be considered.（2）Improving IDUs’ attitudes, motivations and behavioral training is more important than verbal education. Hopefully, IDUs could have abilities of controlling their behaviors.（3）It’s the reference of designing the teaching tools.（4）The promotions of condom using need to be changed.（5）Following up the urine test of IDUs.（6）Introducing the treatment of sexual dysfunction.