177085 Young Thai women who use methamphetamine: Sexual partnerships and social influences

Monday, October 27, 2008: 9:00 AM

Danielle German, MPH , Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Susan Sherman, PhD, MPH , Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Bangorn Sirirojn, MSc , Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Nicholas Thomson, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Catherine G. Sutcliffe, ScM , Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Apinun Aramrattana, MD, PhD , Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
David Celentano, ScD , Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Background: Methamphetamine (MA) use remains common among young people in Thailand and has been associated with increased sexual risk behavior in a variety of populations. To understand this association among young Thai women, we examined women's sexual partnerships, social network characteristics and drug and alcohol use. Methods: 320 young female MA users in an HIV behavioral trial in Chiang Mai completed a quantitative survey and social network inventory. Multinomial regression analyses examined individual and network characteristics comparing women with multiple male partners (37%) in the past year to those with only one male partner (39%) and only female partners (24%). 25 women also completed in-depth interviews, which were coded for emergent themes. Results: Results indicate differing profiles of risk among young Thai MA-using women. Consistent condom use was very low (12%) among those with male partners. Those with multiple partners reported an average of five past year male partners, used MA and alcohol more frequently and had greater levels of MA use among partners and network members. Qualitative data indicate that gender and communication norms and partner-specific risk perceptions regarding STIs, HIV and pregnancy contribute to likelihood of condom use. Perceptions of the influence of MA on sexual behavior are mixed. Conclusions: Targeted prevention efforts are drastically needed among young Thai women and may benefit from consideration of the diversity and varied social influences within the population.

Learning Objectives:
1) to describe the association between methamphetamine and sexual behavior among young Thai women; 2) to describe social influences on sexual behavior among young Thai women

Keywords: Drug Use, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: conducted the research and have no conflict of interest
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.