South Africa is experiencing
a growing methamphetamine problem, and there is concern that methamphetamine
use may accelerate HIV transmission. There has been little research on the HIV
prevention needs of methamphetamine users receiving substance abuse treatment
in South Africa.
This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of HIV risk behaviors among 269 methamphetamine users entering substance abuse treatment in two clinics in Cape Town. The prevalence of sexual risk behaviors was high among sexually active participants: 34 % multiple partners, 26 % unprotected intercourse with a casual partner, and 24 % sex trading for money/methamphetamine. The strongest predictor of all sexual risk behaviors was concurrent other drug use. Over half had not been HIV tested in the past year, and 25 % had never been tested, although attitudes toward HIV testing were overwhelmingly positive. This population of primarily heterosexual, non-injecting methamphetamine users is a high-risk group in need of targeted HIV prevention interventions.
Substance abuse treatment is an ideal setting in which to reach methamphetamine users for HIV services.
This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of HIV risk behaviors among 269 methamphetamine users entering substance abuse treatment in two clinics in Cape Town. The prevalence of sexual risk behaviors was high among sexually active participants: 34 % multiple partners, 26 % unprotected intercourse with a casual partner, and 24 % sex trading for money/methamphetamine. The strongest predictor of all sexual risk behaviors was concurrent other drug use. Over half had not been HIV tested in the past year, and 25 % had never been tested, although attitudes toward HIV testing were overwhelmingly positive. This population of primarily heterosexual, non-injecting methamphetamine users is a high-risk group in need of targeted HIV prevention interventions.
Substance abuse treatment is an ideal setting in which to reach methamphetamine users for HIV services.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/OC3AfA
By:
- 1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Box 90519, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. christina.meade@duke.edu.
- 2Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA. christina.meade@duke.edu.
- 3Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
- 4Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- 5City Health, City of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- AIDS Behav. 2016 Feb 12.
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