Sexually transmitted infections and sexual and substance use correlates among young adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
BACKGROUND
Data on the prevalence of and associated behavioral risk factors for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in young adults in Asia have not been widely studied.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2005--2006 among 658 sexually active participants aged 18 to 25 years, the majority having a history of recent methamphetamine (MA) use. Data were collected by interview and STI were detected using standard laboratory assays.


RESULTS
Overall, 38% of participants had at least one laboratory confirmed STI. Herpes simplex virus and Chlamydia were significantly more common among women, whereas hepatitis B virus was significantly more common among men. Men reported a greater number of sexual partners than women, and condom use at last sex was infrequent. Most participants reported using MA at least weekly, with men more frequent users than women, and more often giving reports of frequent drunkenness and lifetime arrests. Behavioral correlates of prevalent STI were similar to the published literature. In multivariate analysis, women > or =20 years of age, with > or =2 heterosexual partners in the past year and a younger age at sexual debut were significantly more likely to have a prevalent STI. Men > or =20 years of age, with > or =2 heterosexual partners in the past year and who enrolled both sex and drug network members were significantly more likely to have a prevalent STI, whereas men who used a condom at last sex were significantly less likely to have a prevalent STI. Substance abuse was associated with behavioral risks but not with prevalent STI.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual risks and substance abuse are substantially elevated among young Thai MA users, but only sexual risks are associated with prevalent STI.
Celentano
David D
DD
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. dcelenta@jhsph.edu
Sirirojn
Bangorn
B
Sutcliffe
Catherine G
CG
Quan
Vu Minh
VM
Thomson
Nicholas
N
Keawvichit
Rassamee
R
Wongworapat
Kanlaya
K
Latkin
Carl
C
Taechareonkul
Sineenart
S
Sherman
Susan G
SG
Aramrattana
Apinun
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex
D008694:Methamphetamine