title: Correlates of abortions and condom use among high risk women attending an STD clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many women in Russia rely on abortion as a primary birth control method. Although refusal to use contraceptives, including condoms, may undermine public health efforts to decrease HIV sexual risk behaviors, few studies have investigated the risk factors associated with abortion among women at high risk for HIV. This study sought to identify the correlates of abortions and of lack of condom use among high risk STD clinic patients in St Petersburg Russia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of data collected between 2009 and 2010 from women who had casual or multiple sexual partners in the previous three months was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the independent correlates of abortion(s) and no condom use in the prior three months. Independent variables included socio-demographics, at risk drinking per alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT-C) criteria, having sex after drinking alcohol, having a sexual partner who injects illicit drugs, and parity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 87 participants, 45% had an abortion in their lifetime and 26% did not use condoms in the prior three months. Abortion was independently associated with low income (OR, 3.33, 95%CI, 1.13-9.78) and at risk drinking (OR, 3.52, 95%CI, 1.24-10.05). Lack of condom use was independently associated with being more likely to have sex after drinking (OR, 3.37, 95%CI, 1.10-10.28) and parity (OR, 3.69, 95%CI, 1.25-10.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Programs to increase contraceptive use including condom use among women at high risk for STD/HIV in Russia are needed. Programs to reduce sexual HIV risk and abortion rates must address alcohol misuse and target women with limited income.
authors: Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. nadia.abdala@yale.edu
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Abdala
authors: Weihai
authors: W
authors: Zhan
authors: Alla V
authors: AV
authors: Shaboltas
authors: Roman V
authors: RV
authors: Skochilov
authors: Andrei P
authors: AP
authors: Kozlov
authors: Tatiana V
authors: TV
authors: Krasnoselskikh
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult