Lifetime correlates associated with amphetamine use among northern Thai men attending STD and HIV anonymous test sites.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the demographic, sexual, and other substance use risk correlates of amphetamine use among men in northern Thailand prior to the current epidemic of amphetamine use in the Kingdom.


METHODS
Cross-sectional quantitative behavioral questionnaires.


METHODS
Thai Ministry of Health STD and HIV Anonymous Test Sites in the upper northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Lamphun.


METHODS
Adult Thai men recruited at clinics for enrollment in an HIV seroincidence cohort study (The Thai HIVNET). All men were HIV negative at enrollment, and had at least one self-reported sexual risk for HIV infection (a recent STD, use of sex workers, multiple sexual partners, low or absent condom use, sex with men).


METHODS
Participants answered a structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
Lifetime history of amphetamine use was reported by 133/914 men, 14.5%. Older age was protective for use (odds ratio (OR) 0.5) and use was associated with use of other substances; heroin (OR 7.1), thinner (OR 6.2), opium (OR 5.9), and marijuana (OR 5.7). Several STDs were associated with amphetamine use: gonorrhea (OR 2.3) and genital warts (OR 2.4), and any STD (OR 1.9). In multivariate analysis, use of heroin (OR 3.1), soft drugs (OR 4.9), and a history of gonorrhea (OR 2.0) were independently associated with amphetamine use in northern Thai men.


CONCLUSIONS
Associations between young age, gonorrhea, other substance use and amphetamines indicate that prevention measures could occur at STD clinics and be incorporated into school programs when individuals are entering adolescence.
Melbye
Kirsten
K
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Suite E-7138, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. cbeyrer@jhsph.edu
Khamboonruang
C
C
Kunawararak
P
P
Celentano
D D
DD
Prapamontol
T
T
Nelson
K E
KE
Natpratan
C
C
Beyrer
C
C
D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology