title: Sexually transmitted diseases in a population of intravenous drug users: association with seropositivity to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
abstract: The association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity and a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), evidence of STDs on physical examination, and sexual and drug use practices was studied in a population of 2921 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in Baltimore during 1988 and 1989. Overall, 24.1% were HIV-seropositive at baseline, and 60% reported a history of an STD. A significant association was found between HIV seropositivity and a history of syphilis (P = .04); both were more frequent among homosexual/bisexual men than among heterosexual IVDUs. In multivariate analysis, a history of syphilis was independently associated with HIV seroprevalence in homosexual/bisexual male IVDUs, of whom 90% reported a history of sexual intercourse with women. Cocaine injection was independently associated with HIV seropositivity but not a history of syphilis on multivariate analysis. STDs, indicative of unsafe sex practices, are common in this population; efforts are needed to prevent sexual transmission of HIV infection among IVDUs and their sex partners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlahov
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Odunmbaku
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Antohony
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Hook
mesh_terms: D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology