situation of linkage between sexual and reproductive health and hiv-related policies in islamic republic of iran – a rapid assessment in 2011–2

the number of sexual transmission of hiv is increasing globally. sexual and reproductive health (srh) issues and hiv/aids related problems are rooted in common grounds such as poverty, gender inequality, and social exclusion. as a result, international health organizations have suggested the integration of srh services with hiv/aids services as a strategy to control hiv and to improve people’s access to srh services. the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between reproductive health and hiv/aids services at policy-making level in islamic republic of iran (iri). this study was conducted in 2011–2 and was a rapid assessment based on guidelines provided by the world health organization (who), united nations programme on hiv/aids (unaids), family health international association, and some other international organizations. in this rapid assessment we used different methods such as a review of literature and documents, visiting and interviewing professionals and experts in family health and hiv/aids programs, and experts working in some nongovernmental organizations (ngos). overall, based on the results obtained in this study, in most cases there was not much linkage between hiv/aids policies and srh policies in iran. since integration of hiv/aids services and srh services is recommended as a model and an appropriate response to hiv epidemics worldwide, likewise to control the hiv/aids epidemic in iran it is required to integrate hiv/aids and srh services at all levels, particularly at the policy-making level.