title: Correlates of Trichomonas vaginalis Among Middle Age and Older Adults Who Use Drugs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies have reported high rates of Trichomonas vaginalis among middle age and older adults. Though trichomoniasis risk factors in this age cohort remain largely unknown, illicit drug use has been associated with increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The number of mid-older adults using illicit drugs has increased significantly in recent years suggesting the need to understand the relationship between drug use and STIs in this age cohort.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationship between drug use, sexual-risk behaviors, and biologically confirmed T. vaginalis in a sample of mid-older and younger adults who reported recent drug use.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional design examined the relationship between past 6-month drug use, sexual risk-behaviors, and PCR-confirmed T. vaginalis in 264 adults age 18-64 who were recruited from Baltimore, Maryland. These relationships were also explored in the age-stratified sample among those 18-44 years ("younger") and individuals 45+ years ("mid-older").
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trichomoniasis prevalence did not differ significantly between younger (18.8%) and mid-older (19.1%) adults. Mid-older adults that tested positive for T. vaginalis were more likely to have used marijuana and crack in the past 6 months. Among younger adults, there were no associations between trichomoniasis and past 6-month drug use and sexual-risk behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age- and drug-related immune decline is hypothesized to contribute to increase susceptibility to T. vaginalis in mid-older adults. Broad screening for trichomoniasis, particularly among older adults who are often not regarded as at risk for STIs, is needed to control this often asymptomatic infection.
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Health Psychology , University of Florida , Gainesville , Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hearn
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Health Psychology , University of Florida , Gainesville , Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Nicole Ennis
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Health Psychology , University of Florida , Gainesville , Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Eugene M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.affiliation: b School of Health Sciences , Human Services and Nursing, Lehman College , CUNY , Bronx, New York , USA.
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Latimer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016578:Crack Cocaine
keywords: crack cocaine; drug use; immunity; older adults; sexually transmitted infections; trichomoniasis