Non-injecting illicit drug users (NIDU) are a highly
vulnerable group for the acquisition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The majority of these individuals present multiple risk behaviors, such as
multiple sexual partners, exchange of sex for money or drugs, and inconsistent
use of condoms.1 In addition, this group consists of
individuals with low levels of income and education, which enhances the risk of
viral acquisition. Studies have shown high rates of inconsistent use of condoms
in NIDU, which increases the risk in this population for the acquisition and
transmission of HIV.2 and 3 In this context, the objectives of this
study were to estimate the prevalence of inconsistent condom use in NIDU and to
identify the factors associated with unprotected sex with casual partners.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 323
NIDU hospitalized in two chemical dependency treatment clinics located in the
southwest of Goiás, central west region of Brazil. The study included
individuals aged 18 years or over who had used non-injection drugs in the month
before the admission date (marijuana, intranasal cocaine, crack, intranasal
heroin, inhalants, LSD, and ecstasy). Data collection was carried out between
September 2014 and June 2015, through face to face interviews, covering
sociodemographic characteristics, drug use pattern, and condom use in the
previous year.
Inconsistent condom use was defined as
irregular use (occasionally or never) by type of sexual intercourse (oral,
anal, or vaginal)...2
The mean age of the participants was 32.4 years
(standard deviation: 11.3) and the majority were male (83.0%). Inconsistent use
of condoms in oral, vaginal, and anal sex was reported by 72.2% (95% CI:
66.7–76.7%), 83.5% (95% CI: 79.3–87.4%) and 37.5% (95% CI: 32.3–43.1%) of the
participants, respectively. A higher prevalence of inconsistent condom use was
verified in females (prevalence ratio: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.16–1.69) and in those
with a diagnosis of cannabis dependence (prevalence ratio: 1.24; 95% CI:
1.01–1.53).
A high frequency of inconsistent condom use was
observed in this study, confirming the vulnerability of NIDU for the
acquisition of HIV. In this context, it is necessary to expand health promotion
and prevention of sexually transmitted infections in these individuals, with
the availability of condoms, encouraging safe sex practices, and health
education of this population.
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By:
1Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de
Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Electronic address: rafaelalvesg5@gmail.com.
2Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Catalão, Catalão,
Goiás, Brazil.
3Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de
Goiás, Catalão, Goiás, Brazil.
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