title: Sexual behavior differences between amphetamine-type stimulants users and heroin users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the sexual behavior of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) users and heroin users, and to find out the dangerous sexual behaviors, even related risk factors among them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred thirty-eight ATS users and 524 heroin users were recruited in 10 compulsory detoxification treatment centers and voluntary detoxification centers in Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Taiyuan. Their sociodemographic characteristics, history of drug taking, and sexual behaviors were surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many variables of sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors were significantly different between ATS users and heroin users (P < 0.05). Dangerous sexual behaviors among ATS users include sexual intercourse often or each time after taking drug (30.1%), multiple sexual intercourse (16.5%), casual sex partners (34.0%), homosexual partners (2.5%), and never or occasionally using condom with a steady sex partner (79.3%) or with casual sex partners (39.1%). The rate of ever-infecting sexually transmitted disease (STD) was high in both the groups (ATS, 20.5%; heroin, 30.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual behavior is the main way to transmit STD and human immunodeficiency virus among ATS users. The study results will promote the government's awareness of the issue and take necessary steps to slow the spread of STD and human immunodeficiency virus among the ATS users.
authors.affiliation: From the School of Public Health (ZJJ, HRZ, ZML) and National Institute on Drug Dependence (YPB, ZL, ZML, HRZ), Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Department of Criminal Science and Technology (ZJJ), People's Public Security University of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine (SYY), China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhen-jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Shi-yan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yan-ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: Hao-ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D011587:Psychology, Comparative; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin