Teens on Tik: Methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors among female school drop-outs in South Africa

Background: The cheap manufacturing of methamphetamine almost assures its use will become more global and easily accessible to youth. In South Africa, a National Institute on Drug Abuse funded study with young female school drop-outs sought to determine the extent of drug use and sexual activity, and discovered an alarming use of methamphetamine, locally known as ‘tik.'

Methods: A sample of 280 Coloured out-of-school teens between the ages of 13 and 20 were recruited via a targeted sampling plan from Coloured communities in the Cape Peninsula region of South Africa. Paper and pencil interviews and focus groups were conducted.

Results: Approximately 89% of the participants reported ever using methamphetamine, with the average age of first use occurring at age 14. Most (96%) reported using in the last week, and almost all reported using methamphetamine in the past year was by smoking or inhaling the vapors. Approximately 73% reported engaging in sex. This group high rates of sexual risk including; 78% ever having sex while high, 49% having sex with two or more people in the past 3 months, and 63% ever having sex without a condom. Focus groups confirmed gang relationships, violence within families and the community, and high rates of rape among young women. These teens also reported a high unemployment (85%).

Conclusions: High prevalence of methamphetamine use and other drugs is of concern for brain development, risk for disease and victimization. Innovative interventions are needed in townships to help these teens find alternatives to their current risky lifestyle.