Individual and population level impacts of illicit drug use, sexual risk behaviours on sexually transmitted infections among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: results from the GOANNA survey

Abstract

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been increasing among Australian Indigenous young people for over two decades. Little is known about the association between alcohol and other drug use and sexual risk behaviours and diagnosis of STIs among this population.MethodsA cross-sectional, community based self-administered survey was conducted among young Aboriginal people aged 16–29 years of age. Questionnaires included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, sexual risk behaviours alcohol and other drug use and health service access including self-reported history of diagnosis with a STI. Logistic regression models and population attributable risks were used to assess individual and population level impacts of illicit drug use on high risk sexual behaviours and ever reported diagnosis of an STI.ResultsOf the 2877 participants, 2320 (81 %) identified as sexually active and were included in this study. More than 50 % of the study population reported that they had used at least one illicit drug in past year. Cannabis, ecstasy and methamphetamines were the three most commonly used illicit drugs in the past year. The prevalence of self-reported STI diagnosis was 25 %. Compared with people who did not report using illicit drugs, risky alcohol use and sexual behaviours including inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners in the past year and sex with casual partners were all significantly higher among illicit drug users. In adjusted analysis, participants who reported using illicit drugs were significantly more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviours and to ever have been diagnosed with an STI. Adjusted Odds Ratios ranged from 1.86 to 3.00 (males) and from 1.43 to 2.46 (females). At the population level, more than 70 % of the STI diagnoses were attributed to illicit drug-use and sexual risk behaviours for males and females.ConclusionIllicit drug use in this population is relatively high compared to other similar aged populations in Australia. Illicit drug use was associated with risky sexual behaviours and STI diagnoses among this study population. Developing and implementing effective STI prevention strategies should include not only safe sex messages but also include drug and alcohol harm reduction messages.

Coinfection withChlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis: a cross-sectional analysis of positivity and risk factors in remote Australian Aboriginal communities

“…Accordingly, our estimates may overestimate the true prevalence, particularly for NG in men, which is more likely to be symptomatic 1. Although we were unable to determine whether a patient was sexually active, the median age of sexual debut in young Aboriginal people was recently reported to be 15 years of age (IQR of 13–17 years)11 and local guidelines recommend screening only if sexually active. W6 …”

Substance use preferences and sexually transmitted infections among Canadian post-secondary students

“…The present study included sociodemographic and behavioral factors previously recognized in the literature as potential confounders28,30–32 associated with our exposures and outcomes of interest. These included the following: age (18–19, 20–21, 22–23, and ≥24 years); biological sex (male or female); ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, Aboriginal, Asian/Pacific Islander, Biracial/Multiracial); sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and others); sexual assault in the last 12 months (yes or no); multiple sexual partners (two or more) in the last 12 months (yes or no); and tobacco use in the last 30 days (never, ever, and current users).…”

“…Substance use is an important risk factor for contracting STIs among young adults due to its high prevalence and capacity to link distal contextual factors (ie, emotional and mental health issues) and proximal risky sexual behaviors (ie, unprotected sex). Previous research into substance use and STIs among young adults found positive associations, however, the majority of studies focused on high-risk groups (ie, street youth, minority groups, and problematic drug users) 24–28. Moreover, there is scarcity of studies in this area in Canada.…”

Concurrent Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Use Among Clients of Opioid Maintenance Treatment Programs in Golestan, Iran

“…Additionally, amphetamine use can raise the likelihood of HIV transmission by increasing high-risk sexual behaviors, including unprotected sexual activity and multiple sex partners. The risk of HIV transmission could be even higher among those who use amphetamines via injection (7).…”