Use of drugs and alcohol by homosexually active men in relation to sexual practices

Article Abstract:

While the promotion of safer sexual practices is one of the more powerful weapons in the fight against AIDS, there is some evidence that the use of alcohol and drugs by homosexual men might impair judgment when decisions about sex are being made. To evaluate the patterns of alcohol and drug use among homosexual men, and to determine to what degree sexual practices might be influenced, 322 homosexually active men were interviewed in 1985. During 42 months of follow-up, the use of marijuana, nitrite inhalants, and cocaine decreased by 25 to 48 percent, while the use of alcohol showed little change. The men who continued to use drugs were more likely to be continuing high-risk sexual practices than were those who stopped using drugs, although the differences were statistically significant only for alcohol and marijuana. The precise reason for this association is not known. Since the gay population is generally well-informed about AIDS, it is unlikely that ignorance is responsible. Indeed, the men who continued to use drugs perceived themselves as having a higher risk. These individuals may be ineffective at accomplishing behavioral changes, or such individuals may be sexually compulsive, and use drugs and alcohol to temporarily suspend awareness of risks. Any attempts to alter the high-risk behavior of some individuals must take into account the specific barriers to behavioral change which might be at work. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Complications and side effects, Homosexuality, Drug abuse, Safe sex

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Use of condoms by heterosexually active drug abusers before and after AIDS education

Article Abstract:

Rates of condom use among drug abusers are low, and educational efforts appear to have little success in increasing their use. Of 301 heterosexually active drug users, 10% always used condoms, 24% sometimes used condoms and 66% never used condoms. All participated in a three-week drug detoxification and rehabilitation program and in small-group, AIDS educational programs. At follow-up, 19% reported that they always used condoms, 18% that they sometimes used condoms and 63% that they never used condoms. Condom use was associated with HIV-seropositivity and drug injection. Among women, having multiple sexual partners was strongly associated with condom use. Women were more likely than men to initiate condom use than to increase their use from sometimes to always. Men, however, were more likely to increase condom use than to initiate it.

Study and teaching

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History of sexually transmitted diseases infection, drug-sex behaviors, and the use of condoms among midwestern users of injection drugs and crack cocaine

Article Abstract:

Injection drug and crack cocaine users may not use condoms consistently and may be at risk for acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Researchers interviewed 1,046 injection drug and crack users regarding condom usage and history of STDs. Women and men living with a steady sex partner were less likely to use condoms. Men with histories of STDs used condoms less than men without previous STD infection. Women who traded sex for money used condoms frequently, while women who traded sex for drugs seldom used condoms. More blacks reported histories of STD infection than whites.

Sexually transmitted diseases

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