Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users
Abstract Objective : Drug users are at elevated risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examines prevalence of STIs and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users accessing low‐threshold primary healthcare in inner‐city Sydney. Methods : Data were extracted manu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2013-08-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12077 |
| _version_ | 1797726082133131264 |
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| author | M. Mofizul Islam Libby Topp Katherine M. Conigrave Paul S. Haber Ann White Carolyn A. Day |
| author_facet | M. Mofizul Islam Libby Topp Katherine M. Conigrave Paul S. Haber Ann White Carolyn A. Day |
| author_sort | M. Mofizul Islam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective : Drug users are at elevated risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examines prevalence of STIs and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users accessing low‐threshold primary healthcare in inner‐city Sydney. Methods : Data were extracted manually from clients’ medical records and analysed using STATA. Results : Prevalence of HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea were low (<2%), whereas hepatitis C (62%), hepatitis A (30%), and previous exposure to hepatitis B (25%) were more common. Recent unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse were reported by 85% and 26% of clients, respectively. Younger clients and those with a history of sex work or recent anal intercourse were more likely to report multiple recent unprotected sex partners. Having a regular sex partner was the most prevalent barrier to condom use (37%), and was more likely to be identified by clients who were older, of Indigenous descent, and/or heterosexual. Drug intoxication was a second important barrier (20%), and was more commonly identified by excessive alcohol users. Conclusions : Targeted programs might increase awareness regarding the benefits of condom use and potential sexual risk associated with regular partners. Periodic assessments of alcohol use, and brief interventions for drug users who report problematic use, should also be considered. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:40:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6317d8f4c279428f9df9e74363309dd3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:40:41Z |
| publishDate | 2013-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-6317d8f4c279428f9df9e74363309dd32023-09-02T08:08:59ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052013-08-0137431131510.1111/1753-6405.12077Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug usersM. Mofizul Islam0Libby Topp1Katherine M. Conigrave2Paul S. Haber3Ann White4Carolyn A. Day5Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, Australian National University, ACTResearch Strategy Unit, Cancer Council NSWDrug Health Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, New South Wales; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South WalesDiscipline of Addiction Medicine, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, New South WalesRedfern Harm Minimisation Clinic, Sydney Local Health District, New South WalesDiscipline of Addiction Medicine, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, New South WalesAbstract Objective : Drug users are at elevated risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examines prevalence of STIs and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users accessing low‐threshold primary healthcare in inner‐city Sydney. Methods : Data were extracted manually from clients’ medical records and analysed using STATA. Results : Prevalence of HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea were low (<2%), whereas hepatitis C (62%), hepatitis A (30%), and previous exposure to hepatitis B (25%) were more common. Recent unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse were reported by 85% and 26% of clients, respectively. Younger clients and those with a history of sex work or recent anal intercourse were more likely to report multiple recent unprotected sex partners. Having a regular sex partner was the most prevalent barrier to condom use (37%), and was more likely to be identified by clients who were older, of Indigenous descent, and/or heterosexual. Drug intoxication was a second important barrier (20%), and was more commonly identified by excessive alcohol users. Conclusions : Targeted programs might increase awareness regarding the benefits of condom use and potential sexual risk associated with regular partners. Periodic assessments of alcohol use, and brief interventions for drug users who report problematic use, should also be considered.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12077injecting drug userssexual risk behaviourunprotected sexlow‐threshold healthcare |
| spellingShingle | M. Mofizul Islam Libby Topp Katherine M. Conigrave Paul S. Haber Ann White Carolyn A. Day Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health injecting drug users sexual risk behaviour unprotected sex low‐threshold healthcare |
| title | Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users |
| title_full | Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users |
| title_fullStr | Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users |
| title_short | Sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users |
| title_sort | sexually transmitted infections sexual risk behaviours and perceived barriers to safe sex among drug users |
| topic | injecting drug users sexual risk behaviour unprotected sex low‐threshold healthcare |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12077 |
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