The role of cognitive impairment in risky sexual behavior of men with chronic methamphetamine abuse

 The immediate effects of methamphetamine abuse on risky sexual behavior are well known, but there is little information on the effects of chronic methamphetamine abuse and its cognitive impairments on risky sexual behavior, so this study aimed to investigating the role of cognitive dysfunctions on risky sexual behavior of man with chronic methamphetamine abuse. 

The present study is analytical cross-sectional. Statistical population consisted of all men with methamphetamine abuse who were resident in addiction treatment camps of Tehran city. From this population a sample included of 300 individuals was selected through convenient sampling and They were assessed through Trail Making Test, Rapid Visual Information Processing task, and risky sexual behavior questionnaire. Data were analyzed based on correlation tests and regression analysis using SPSS software. 

The findings showed that continuous attention (r=-0.13, P<0.05) and attention control (r=0.17, P<0.01) had significant correlation with risky sexual behavior. The regression equation used to predict risky sexual behavior on cognitive functions was significant (F=6.16, P<0.01). Continuous attention (t=-2.58, P<0.05) and attention control (t=3.54, P<0.01) had significant role in prediction of risky sexual behavior. 

The findings revealed that cognitive impairment and risky sexual behavior are very common in chronic methamphetamine abuse and cognitive impairments are responsible for part of the risky sexual behavior in methamphetamine abusers.