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Development and evaluation of specialist services for female drug users in Iran

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Date Commenced:
2007
Project Supporters:

The Drosos Foundation

Drug Type:
Project Members: 
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Adjunct Professor
Ph 02 9385 0333
Project Main Description: 

The project involved establishing a methadone clinic for female drug users in Iran. The Clinic would have a range of services for the women such as primary health care, sexual health care and staff such as a social worker, a psychologist and a lawyer. The clinic would also provide condoms and a needle and syringe program and employment training.

Project Collaborators: External: 

Dr Bijan Nassirimanesh (Persepolis NGO)

Dr Azarakhsh Mokri (Iranian National Centre of Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences)

Aims: 

The aims of this project are as follows:

  • To improve the health, welfare and social functioning of women who use drugs in Tehran
  • To design, deliver and evaluate a co-ordinated range of services to meet the health and welfare needs of this vulnerable population
  • To provide services that are non-judgemental, professional, culturally sensitive, accessible and acceptable to Iranian women in this target population
Design and Method: 

The activities to be carried out in this program of work are as follows:

  • To design programs and establish a women only community based clinic to provide a range of services including: methadone maintenance treatment, sexual health services, needle syringe program, contraception and family planning, primary healthcare, counselling, employment training, legal services and a drop in centre
  • To undertake research and produce evidence on the efficacy of project activities including a study of the prison methadone program
Findings: 

Over 100 women attended our clinic in the first year. Of the 78 women recruited, 40 were followed up, approximately seven months later. Most women were chronic drug users with a multitude of problems who had received no prior treatment for their drug problem. One in four women reported a history of drug injection. The women had improved outcomes in a number of areas; drug use, social functioning and HIV risk behaviour.

Output: 

Four presentations have been made at International conferences. Journal articles have been published (1), are in press (2) or in preparation (1). A book is being written on the clinic and a cohort of clients.

Benefits: 

A large number of women with no exposure to treatment for drug problems responded well to treatment. There are now five clinics for female drug user s in Tehran.

Drug Type: 
Project Status: 
Completed
Year Completed: 
2011