NIDA has highlighted the need to counsel and test women with high risk behaviors for STDs and HIV. Such public health efforts are especially important in St. Louis which is 2nd in the nation for chlamydia, 3rd for gonorrhea, and 8th for syphilis. Thus, as part of two NIDA and NIAAA prevention studies to reduce high risk behaviors in out-of-treatment substance using women in the St. Louis area, STD/HIV testing and counseling are conducted. The urine amplified probe is used for gonorrhea/chlamydia testing; Hepatitis C, HIV and Syphilis tests are conducted on blood. Eligibility for the NIAAA study includes being a heavy or problem drinker in the absence of drug use; eligibility for the NIDA study requires use of cocaine, opiates or amphetamine, as determined by urinalysis. During the first year of these studies, we have enrolled and tested 81 women in the NIAAA study and 53 women in the NIDA study. STD rates are as follows: among the heavy drinking NIAAA sample, 8% were positive for chlamydia, 4% for gonorrhea, 5% for Hepatitis C and 3 % for syphilis. Drug using respondents in the NIDA study had higher rates of all but one STD: 10% were positive for chlamydia, 2% for gonorrhea, 24% for Hepatitis C, 5% for HIV, and 9% for syphilis. Predictors of positive STD status, in addition to drug and alcohol abuse, such as sexual partners, ASP history, barriers to health services and history of violence will be evaluated. See epi.wustl.edu
Learning Objectives: To understand the prevalence of STDs in substance abusing women.
Keywords: STD Prevention, Alcohol
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.