title: Drug use and HIV risk in Trinidad and Tobago: qualitative study.
abstract: Crack use is an important risk factor for HIV infection because of its association with unsafe sexual practices. We investigated factors promoting the initiation of crack cocaine use; the sexual behaviour of crack users; and their rehabilitation care seeking behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago. We conducted 40 in-depth interviews with drug users. Respondents frequently reported a history of parental desertion, alcohol abuse, and physical abuse within the family. They perceived peer pressure and drug use in the family as important factors promoting first drug use. Exchanging sex for drugs was common, and practising oral sex was considered safe. Female drug users rarely seek rehabilitative care because of stigmatization and lack of care for their children. In Trinidad, attitudes towards drugs in society and families need to be changed. Campaigns promoting safer sex should emphasize the risk of oral sex. Rehabilitation facilities caring for female drug users should offer child care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, Heidelberg University, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Djumalieva
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Imamshah
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Razum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D016578:Crack Cocaine