[Family system and its effect's on HIV/AIDS high risk behaviors: a qualitative study]

ABSTRACT

The statistics of HIV/AIDS patients are increasing in the world and Iran. Since previous studies indicated that family structure and communication had an important role in high risk behaviors engagement, Assessing role of family system in high risk behaviors would be help to explore solving problem and prventing high risk behaviors. To determine the effect of family on high risk behaviors. This thematic analysis study with qualitative approach was done during 10 months in Behavioral Counseling Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital and West Clinic in Tehran. The participated patient were selected by purposeful sampling and data was obtained from in dept and semi-structured interview with open end questions. Total interview was recorded and typed word to word. For analysies the results review of transcripts, themes gained from data and coded categorized were done. Among 61 HIV/AIDS patients 45cases were HIV positive and 16 cases were AIDS patients with range age 21-42 years old with average age of 29.7 +/- 4.86. There were 62.3% males and 37.7 were females. Majority of them was single with secondary and high school educational level. Themes consisted of 1- defect in family function 2- vulnareble structure of family 3- risky family norms. This study showed that core variable was inadequate support of family. Then increasing support of family in adolescents and family base intervention can reduce high risk baheviors and HIV/AIDS incidence