HIV seroprevalence and risk factors in female substance abusers seeking rehabilitation in Trinidad and Tobago
West Indian med. j
;
53(3): 155-158, Jun. 2004.
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-410474
ABSTRACT
Crack cocaine use, especially among females, is associated with risky sexual behaviour. Data from 122 female substance abusers admitted to a rehabilitation centre in Trinidad and Tobago between 1996 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed to determine Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) seroprevalence and other associated risk factors. HIV seroprevalence was 19.7, eight times higher than in the general population. Factors significantly associated with HIV infection were use of crack cocaine, low educational attainment and diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection. Other factors associated with risky sexual behaviour were common--use of cocaine in combination with alcohol (65.6), psychiatric illness (28.7) and a history of sexual abuse (83). Female substance abusers, especially female crack addicts are at high risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. Rehabilitation programmes should include HIV prevention interventions which specifically target all risk factors including trauma counselling, skills development and screening for sexually transmitted infections
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
HIV Infections
/
Substance-Related Disorders
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
English Caribbean
/
Trinidad and Tobago
Language:
English
Journal:
West Indian med. j
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2004
Type:
Article
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