HIV Risk Behavior Among Methamphetamine Users Entering Substance Abuse Treatment in Cape Town, South Africa

Overview

Journal AIDS Behav

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2016 Feb 14

PMID 26873492

Citations 2

Authors

Christina S Meade

Ryan R Lion

Daniella M Cordero

Melissa H Watt

John A Joska

Hetta Gouse

Warren Burnhams

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

Citing Articles

Understanding HIV Risk Behaviors Among Young Men in South Africa: A Syndemic Approach.

Okafor C, Christodoulou J, Bantjes J, Qondela T, Stewart J, Shoptaw S AIDS Behav. 2018; 22(12):3962-3970.

PMID: 30003507 PMC: 6330132. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2227-x.

Socio-demographic and sexual practices associated with HIV infection in Kenyan injection and non-injection drug users.

Budambula V, Matoka C, Ouma J, Ahmed A, Otieno M, Were T BMC Public Health. 2018; 18(1):193.

PMID: 29378631 PMC: 5789578. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5100-y.

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