Evaluation of sexual risk behaviors and its characteristics among drug users / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the characteristics of sexual risk behaviors and related factors of drug users in two enforced detoxification institutions in Changsha, China.@*METHODS@#A total of 309 drug users from two compulsory detoxifications in Hunan Province were investigated using self-designed questionnaire, which included background information, drug use and sexual risk behaviors, STD/HIV related knowledge and permissiveness of sexual behaviors.@*RESULTS@#Among 309 drug users, 279 (90.3%) had regular sexual relationships, and 85 (27.5%) of them had more than 1 regular partner. The prevalence of casual sexual behaviors, commercial sexual behaviors and multi-partner sexual behaviors was 38.2% (118/309), 25.9% (80/309), and 62.8% (194/309), respectively. And 74 (23.9%) had sex with both commercial and noncommercial partners. The major factors related to sexual risk behaviors were gender, marital status, the age of sexual debut, drug injection, the history of STD and sexual permissiveness.@*CONCLUSION@#Sexually risk behaviors are relatively common in drug users. To modify the sexual risk behaviors in this group is very important to prevent and control HIV transmission to general population.