Abstract
We used the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 14,322) to measure associations between non-injection crack-cocaine
and injection drug use and sexually transmitted infection including HIV (STI/HIV) risk among young adults in the United States
and to identify factors that mediate the relationship between drug use and infection. Respondents were categorized as injection
drug users, non-injection crack-cocaine users, or non-users of crack-cocaine or injection drugs. Non-injection crack-cocaine
use remained an independent correlate of STI when adjusting for age at first sex and socio-demographic characteristics (adjusted
prevalence ratio (APR): 1.64, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.16–2.31) and sexual risk behaviors including multiple partnerships
and inconsistent condom use. Injection drug use was strongly associated with STI (APR: 2.62, 95 % CI: 1.29–5.33); this association
appeared to be mediated by sex with STI-infected partners rather than by sexual risk behaviors. The results underscore the
importance of sexual risk reduction among all drug users including IDUs, who face high sexual as well as parenteral transmission
risk.
and injection drug use and sexually transmitted infection including HIV (STI/HIV) risk among young adults in the United States
and to identify factors that mediate the relationship between drug use and infection. Respondents were categorized as injection
drug users, non-injection crack-cocaine users, or non-users of crack-cocaine or injection drugs. Non-injection crack-cocaine
use remained an independent correlate of STI when adjusting for age at first sex and socio-demographic characteristics (adjusted
prevalence ratio (APR): 1.64, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.16–2.31) and sexual risk behaviors including multiple partnerships
and inconsistent condom use. Injection drug use was strongly associated with STI (APR: 2.62, 95 % CI: 1.29–5.33); this association
appeared to be mediated by sex with STI-infected partners rather than by sexual risk behaviors. The results underscore the
importance of sexual risk reduction among all drug users including IDUs, who face high sexual as well as parenteral transmission
risk.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0276-0
- Authors
- Maria R. Khan, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100231, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
- Amanda Berger, Department of Fertility and Family Structure, Child Trends, Washington, DC, USA
- Jordana Hemberg, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Allison O’Neill, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Typhanye Penniman Dyer, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100231, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
- Kristina Smyrk, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165