Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40380215›Full record

ArticleHarm reduction journal2025

Characterizing substance users and risk profiles across treatment centers: insights from Iran.

Saeid Mirzaei, Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi, Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani, Nouzar Nakhaee, Nadia Oroomiei

Abstract read
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Article in Harm reduction journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Saeid MirzaeiNon Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran.ORCID 0000-0003-2024-8866
Vahid Yazdi-FeyzabadiHealth Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID 0000-0002-8009-470X
Mohammad Hossein MehrolhassaniMedical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID 0000-0002-2412-9277
Nouzar NakhaeeHealth Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID 0000-0001-5808-6503
Nadia OroomieiNon Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran. n_oroomiei@yahoo.com.ORCID 0000-0003-3278-3647

Funding

Bam University of Medical Sciences 403000024
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSubstance use remains a pressing global public health concern and has shown a marked increase in recent years. This study investigates the characteristics and risk behaviors of individuals who use substances across various treatment centers in the city of Kerman, Iran.

methodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2023 across multiple treatment centers in Kerman. A total of 470 participants were recruited from Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) centers, Therapeutic Community (TC) centers, Article 16 compulsory treatment centers, and Drop-in Centers (DICs). Data were collected using the Maudsley Addiction Profile (MAP) questionnaire and laboratory tests, and analyzed using STATA software.

resultsNinety percent of participants were male, with the most common age range being 26 to 45 years. More than 70% reported initiating substance use after the age of 18. Approximately 64.89% had attempted to stop using substances fewer than two times, while 13.62% had made more than six unsuccessful attempts. Patterns of alcohol, opium, and methamphetamine use varied across treatment settings. The highest rates of syringe sharing, unprotected sexual activity, and criminal activity were reported in the Article 16 center, whereas MMT centers reported the highest levels of spousal conflict. TC centers had the lowest levels of methamphetamine and morphine use.

conclusionThe majority of participants were male and began using substances after the age of 18. Patients in the Article 16 center exhibited the highest levels of high-risk behaviors, including injection-based substance use, unprotected sexual activity, and criminal involvement. In contrast, MMT centers showed the highest levels of familial conflict, and TC centers had the lowest prevalence of methamphetamine and morphine use. These findings highlight the need for context-specific harm reduction and treatment strategies tailored to the distinct substance use patterns and risk profiles within each treatment setting. Given the structural and demographic differences-such as voluntary enrollment in MMT versus mandated treatment in Article 16-comparative interpretations should remain descriptive and cautious.

Indexed as

Risk-TakingSubstance Abuse Treatment CentersSubstance-Related DisordersAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansIranMaleMethadoneMiddle AgedNeedle SharingOpiate Substitution TreatmentUnsafe SexYoung AdultMethadoneCommunity health servicesCompulsory treatmentHarm reductionIranMethadoneOpioid substitution treatmentResidential treatmentSubstance use disordersSurveys and questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID40380215
PMCPMC12084960

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.