TY - JOUR
T1 - Sexually transmitted infections and sexual practices among injecting drug users in harm reduction centers in Catalonia
AU - Folch, Cinta
AU - Casabona, Jordi
AU - Brugal, M. Teresa
AU - Majó, Xavier
AU - Esteve, Anna
AU - Meroño, Mercè
AU - Gonzalez, Victoria
PY - 2011/8/1
Y1 - 2011/8/1
N2 - Background: The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and sexual risk practices, and to identify factors associated with infection by C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae. Methods: Injecting drug users were interviewed at harm reduction centers and biological samples were collected to estimate the prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. Results: The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 2.3%, and this was higher among immigrants (3.6%); the prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae was 0.7% (no differences between Spanish-born and immigrants). Respondents aged ≤25 years had a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (OR 3.39), as did women (OR 3.08). Also associated with having an STI were not having registered employment (OR 4.70), injecting drugs daily (OR 4.21), and having unprotected sex with a stable partner (OR 3.37). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of STIs observed is low, scant condom use makes it necessary for prevention programs to include messages related to sexual risk practices, especially among young people and women. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.
AB - Background: The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and sexual risk practices, and to identify factors associated with infection by C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae. Methods: Injecting drug users were interviewed at harm reduction centers and biological samples were collected to estimate the prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. Results: The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 2.3%, and this was higher among immigrants (3.6%); the prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae was 0.7% (no differences between Spanish-born and immigrants). Respondents aged ≤25 years had a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (OR 3.39), as did women (OR 3.08). Also associated with having an STI were not having registered employment (OR 4.70), injecting drugs daily (OR 4.21), and having unprotected sex with a stable partner (OR 3.37). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of STIs observed is low, scant condom use makes it necessary for prevention programs to include messages related to sexual risk practices, especially among young people and women. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.
KW - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW - Human immunodeficiency virus
KW - Injecting drug users
KW - Neisseria gonorrhoeae
KW - Sexual behaviors
U2 - 10.1159/000329931
DO - 10.1159/000329931
M3 - Article
VL - 17
SP - 271
EP - 278
JO - European Addiction Research
JF - European Addiction Research
SN - 1022-6877
IS - 5
ER -