Drug use and HIV risk in Trinidad and Tobago: qualitative study

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 633-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Djumalieva ◽  
W Imamshah ◽  
U Wagner ◽  
O Razum

Crack use is an important risk factor for HIV infection because of its association with unsafe sexual practices. We investigated factors promoting the initiation of crack cocaine use; the sexual behaviour of crack users; and their rehabilitation care seeking behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago. We conducted 40 indepth interviews with drug users. Respondents frequently reported a history of parental desertion, alcohol abuse, and physical abuse within the family. They perceived peer pressure and drug use in the family as important factors promoting first drug use. Exchanging sex for drugs was common, and practising oral sex was considered safe. Female drug users rarely seek rehabilitative care because of stigmatization and lack of care for their children. In Trinidad, attitudes towards drugs in society and families need to be changed. Campaigns promoting safer sex should emphasize the risk of oral sex. Rehabilitation facilities caring for female drug users should offer child care.

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Gerevich ◽  
Erika Bácskai

The authors examined the relationship of two dimensions of the theory of social development—vulnerability (predictors, risk factors) and protectivity—in two samples, schoolchildren aged ten to fifteen years and addictive drug users. On the basis of the Hirschi model of protective factors, they found that the most important protective factors (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief) act against substance use. A surprising finding was that among the predictors of the addicts some forms of escape from the family act against the development of drug use, that is, they can be regarded as a protective predictor. The findings of the study draw attention to the complexity of the vulnerability-protectivity relationship and to the need for further research.


2020 ◽  
pp. 001112872093951
Author(s):  
Spencer D. Li ◽  
Ruohui Zhao ◽  
Hongwei Zhang

Prior research has generated inconsistent results about the relationship between drug use and crime. To improve on previous research, this study focuses on drug use disorders as a predictor of crime and offending behavior specifically related to drug use to measure the potential impact of drug abuse and dependence. Through the analysis of data collected from 930 male and female drug users receiving mandatory treatment in two drug detoxification centers in China, the current study finds that drug use disorders significantly predict drug-related crime. The results provide an empirical validation of the findings from the West that drug use disorders and crime are positively related.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Saulius Čaplinskas

Objective. To assess prevalence and social dimensions (family, school and peers) of substance use among Lithuanian adolescents and to provide effective recommendations of substance use prevention. Methods. A survey using a standard questionnaire was administered in three biggest cities of Lithuania (Vilnius, Klaipeda and Kaunas) twice: in 2006 and 2008. The target population was students of the age group 15-16 years old. Totally 14,155 students were enrolled. Results. 46 percent of respondents had no experience of any substance use. The most consumed drug was cannabis (hashish and marihuana) – 24 percent, followed by sleeping pills - 20 percent. Age of the substance use debut was directly related to further substance, especially cannabis (hashish or marihuana), use (r=0.891, p<0.001). Substance use had especially negative impact on the learning progress and perspectives of further studies and was related to the attitudes towards learning/school: the less interest in studies, the more extensive substance use (r=-0.151, p≤0.001). Parceived parental support and free time spent with parents were significantly related to the children attitudes towards substance use. Children without parental attachment were more prone to substance use and more submissive to the peer pressure. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use were concurrent: students, who smoked cigarettes more often (r=0.425, p<0.001), consumed beer (r=0.323, p<0.001) more often, consumed low percentage drinks (r=0.255, p<0.001) and strong alcohol more often (r=0.313, p<0.001), were also more intensely immersed drug users. Conclusions. Adolescents engaged in the free-time activities with their parents were less prone to smoke cigarettes or marihuana and consume alcohol. Having friends who use drugs was one of the great potential risk factors for personal drug use. Strengthening of relationships among parents, school, community and adolescents is an important measure in helping adolescents to abstain from substance use.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Tomkins ◽  
S Ahmad ◽  
L Cannon ◽  
SP Higgins ◽  
M Kliner ◽  
...  

Recreational drug use (RDU) has been reported to be disproportionately higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. To identify RDU, links to risky sexual practices and infections for MSM attending three sexual health clinics across Manchester, United Kingdom, a retrospective case note review was conducted using a random powered sample of service users attending three sites during 2014. Three hundred and fifty-seven case notes were reviewed across three sites. Eighteen per cent of service users reported any type of RDU. Use of at least one of the three drugs associated with chemsex (crystal methamphetamine, mephedrone, gamma hydroxybutyrate/gamma butyrolactone) was reported by 3.6%. A statistically significant difference was identified between non-drug users and any-drug users reporting: group sex (odds ratio [OR] 5.88, p = 0.013), condomless receptive anal intercourse (CRAI) (OR 2.77, p = 0.003) and condomless oral intercourse (OR 2.52, p = 0.016). A statistically significant difference was identified between chemsex-related drug user and non-drug user groups reporting: group sex (OR 13.05, p = 0.023), CRAI (OR 3.69, p = 0.029) and condomless insertive anal intercourse (OR 1.27, p = 0.039). There was also a statistically higher incidence of gonorrhoea infection in chemsex-related drug use compared with those not using drugs (p = 0.002, OR 6.88). This study identifies that substance use is common in MSM attending sexual health clinics in Manchester. High-risk sexual practices and certain sexually transmitted infections are more common in MSM reporting RDU.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita E. Pozdnyakova

This work continues an article on risky sexual behavior and the spread of HIV infection. In this part, based on the results of surveys of the working-age population, the youth and the target group of psychoactive substance users, the relationship between increase in drug use and sexual behavior is examined. It is shown that use of certain drugs is connected to increase in sexual activity. Injecting drug users play a special role in the spread of HIV infection. The survey of the target group of drug users allowed us to describe a modern portrait of an injecting drug user, as well as the peculiarities of drug use and common high-risk sexual practices in this group. The impact on the rate of infection from the Russian penitentiary system is considered. It was revealed that with an annual decrease in the number of prisoners, the proportion of HIV-infected people is constantly growing, while HIV infection is by far the most frequent cause of death for convicts in Russia. The factors that influence HIV incidence rate among the convicts are examined.


1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 145-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Brems ◽  
Dennis G. Fisher ◽  
Patricia J. Queen

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