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  • Title: Sexual issues and condom use among injecting drug users.
    Author: White D, Phillips K, Mulleady G, Cupitt C.
    Journal: AIDS Care; 1993; 5(4):427-37. PubMed ID: 8110857.
    Abstract:
    Recent surveys of injecting drug users reveal that their injecting behaviours have changed in the light of HIV, but their sexual behaviours have not and, in particular, they remain reluctant to use condoms to reduce the risks of sexual transmission. In an attempt to explore this issue further the present study assessed the behaviours and attitudes of injecting drug users to sexual issues, including condom use. Condom use was low. Obstacles to their use included for some a desire to conceive, for many a belief in their infertility, a perceived invulnerability to HIV infection through their sexual behaviour patterns, a dislike of condoms and difficulty in negotiating condom use with partners. The lifestyle of drug users may also have an influence on condom use. Many drug users funded their habit through illegal activities including prostitution, theft and fraud. The association between these and other factors and condom use are explored. Recent surveys of IV drug users (IVDUs) indicate that their drug injecting behaviors have changed in response to the HIV pandemic, but their sexual behaviors have not. In particular, IVDUs remain reluctant to use condoms. This study assesses the behaviors and attitudes of a sample of IVDUs in London to sexual issues, including condom use. The study was conducted between fall 1989 and summer 1990 among 97 men and 44 women aged 20-46 years (mean age = 31.7 years). 91% of the men and 77% of the women were heterosexuals, and about half were in relationships. The 141 subjects were clients attending the St. Mary's Hospital Syringe Exchange Unit or Drug Dependency Unit. They were interviewed about their lifestyles, relationships, current and past drug use practices, current and past sexual behavior, current use of contraception, the extent of use of drug services, and satisfaction with services offered. 20 of the 110 who had undergone HIV testing reported themselves to be HIV-seropositive, while an additional 6 thought themselves to be infected, but had not yet been tested. Condom use was low; 64% of those sexually active reported never using condoms. For the 14% of men reporting anal sex, condoms were used 83% of the time. Obstacles to condom use included a desire tot conceive, a belief they were infertile, a perceived invulnerability to HIV infection through their sexual behavior patterns, a dislike of condoms, and difficulty negotiating condom use with partners. The lifestyle of drug users may influence condom use since many fund their habits through prostitution, theft, and fraud. The association between these and other factors is considered.
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