Background: Sexual minorities, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS compared to heterosexual men. The increased prevalence of HIV/AIDs among this group of individuals is associated with increased participation in HIV-related risk behavior, such as multiple sexual partnerships and injection drug use. However, very little is known about the prevalence of HIV and the risk behaviors related to HIV infection among MSM in Iran. This absence of data is due to the increased discrimination and stigmatization MSM, and other vulnerable populations face in Iran. This study was conducted to identify HIV-related risks, HIV prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of the MSM population in Iran.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM attending the Sexual Health Clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2018. A sexual health screening questionnaire was used to aid in identifying HIV-related risk behaviors. HIV status was determined using an HIV rapid test and confirmed by an ELISA.

Results: One hundred MSM enrolled in this study, out of which 41% were 18-25 years old. The majorities were single; almost one-third had a diploma degree. Only a fifth were employed, and about a quarter (25%) reported substance abuse. Among eighty-three people (83%) reported having sex during the past three months, and only 27 (27.3%) of participants always used condoms for sex. Among 80 participants tested for HIV, two positive results were detected (2.5%).

Conclusion: Data collected through a sexual health questionnaire indicated that the prevalence of HIV is increased among MSM in Iran. This finding sheds light on the urgent need for the implementation of social programs providing counseling and healthcare to vulnerable populations in Iran.

背景：与异性恋男性相比，性少数群体，例如男男性行为者 (MSM)，受到 HIV/AIDS 的影响更大。这组人群中 HIV/AID 患病率的增加与 HIV 相关危险行为的参与度增加有关，例如多重性伙伴关系和注射吸毒。然而，人们对伊朗 MSM 中 HIV 的流行情况和与 HIV 感染相关的危险行为知之甚少。缺乏数据是由于 MSM 和其他弱势群体在伊朗面临的歧视和污名化增加。本研究旨在确定伊朗 MSM 人群的 HIV 相关风险、HIV 流行率和社会人口学特征。

方法：对 2018 年在伊玛目霍梅尼医院性健康诊所就诊的 MSM 进行了一项横断面研究。使用性健康筛查问卷来帮助识别 HIV 相关的危险行为。使用 HIV 快速测试确定 HIV 状态并通过 ELISA 确认。

结果：100 名 MSM 参加了这项研究，其中 41% 为 18-25 岁。大多数人是单身；几乎三分之一的人拥有文凭。只有五分之一的人被雇用，大约四分之一（25%）的人报告滥用药物。83 人 (83%) 报告在过去三个月内发生过性行为，只有 27 人 (27.3%) 的参与者总是使用安全套进行性行为。在接受艾滋病毒检测的 80 名参与者中，检测到两个阳性结果（2.5%）。

结论：通过性健康问卷收集的数据表明，伊朗 MSM 中 HIV 的流行率有所增加。这一发现揭示了伊朗迫切需要实施为弱势群体提供咨询和医疗保健的社会项目。