title: Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among female drug abusers in Malaysia.
abstract: The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among female drug abusers was determined by screening 130 new inmates of a rehabilitation centre. The majority of the subjects (77.7%) were self-confessed sex workers. A high prevalence of syphilis (50.8%), hepatitis B (52.2%), moniliasis (23.8%) and trichomoniasis (19.2%) were noted. Gonorrhoea vaginitis was seen in 8.5%, which was low compared to previous studies. Six subjects were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with 5 of them admitting to needle sharing and working as prostitutes. More than half of them harboured 2 or more STD. A rich reservoir of STD was seen among the drug abusers. With more evidence now available concerning the ease of HIV transmission associated with ulcerative STD, a stage could be set for greater heterosexual HIV transmission. As part of the rehabilitation process, female drug abusers need a thorough screening for STD followed by aggressive treatment regimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan Darul Naim.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Isa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sivakumaran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation