Risk of sexually transmitted disease among black adolescent crack users in Oakland and San Francisco, Calif

Article Abstract:

The increase in the use of "crack" cocaine by teenagers has been accompanied by increases in crime, drug treatment admissions, and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Recent studies have revealed strong correlations between cocaine use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Crack is a form of cocaine hydrochloride which is cheap, easily available, and highly addictive. A survey of 222 black teenage crack users living in the San Francisco and Oakland, California areas was conducted to investigate the prevalence of risk behaviors that are associated with STDs (including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS). The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of high-risk behavior in this group. Subjects ranged between the ages of 13 to 19-years-old. Some limitations to the survey included bias in sampling techniques and the fact that the responses were self-reported. Significantly higher rates of high-risk behavior were found in this group when compared with the general population; these included higher numbers of different sexual partners, inadequate condom usage, evidence of "sexual risk taking" which accompanied crack usage. A high number of high-risk behaviors were reported by intravenous drug users, and one in four subjects reported exchanging sex for drugs. Some risk behaviors varied by sex. Boys were more likely to have more than 10 sexual partners per year; girls were more likely to have a history of a STD. The majority of the respondents were concerned about contracting AIDS; 76 percent were 'very worried' or 'somewhat worried.' The authors suggest that perhaps this group should be targeted for condom distribution to help reduce the spread of STDs and HIV infection, in particular. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drugs, Statistics, Surveys, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, AIDS (Disease), San Francisco, California, African American youth, Oakland, California, Crack (Drug), African American teenagers, Drugs and sex, San Francisco

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Sex and Cyberspace--Virtual Networks Leading to High-Risk Sex

Article Abstract:

Doctors could identify a group of people at risk of a sexually transmitted disease by asking their patients if they use the Internet to find sexual partners. A study published in 2000 found that a group of gay men who used the Internet to contact potential sex partners was more likely to contract syphilis than gay men who did not. The men who used the Internet to find sex partners also engaged in risky sex behaviors. The researchers had to use novel methods of tracing contacts in this case because people who visit Internet chat rooms usually do not use their real names.

Editorial, Gay men, Chat rooms

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The Internet as a Newly Emerging Risk Environment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Article Abstract:

People who have sex with people they contact on the Internet have a higher than normal risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This was the conclusion of researchers who surveyed 856 people who visited the Denver, Colorado, Public Health HIV Counseling and Testing Site. Sixteen percent said they used the Internet to look for sex partners and 65% said they had sex with someone they contacted via the Internet. Almost 40% had four or more such partners. Internet sex seekers were likely to be gay men with a history of a STD who practiced risky sex.

Internet

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