title: HIV Risk Behavior Among Methamphetamine Users Entering Substance Abuse Treatment in Cape Town, South Africa.
abstract: South Africa is experiencing a growing methamphetamine problem, and there is concern that methamphetamine use may accelerate HIV transmission. There has been little research on the HIV prevention needs of methamphetamine users receiving substance abuse treatment in South Africa. This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of HIV risk behaviors among 269 methamphetamine users entering substance abuse treatment in two clinics in Cape Town. The prevalence of sexual risk behaviors was high among sexually active participants: 34 % multiple partners, 26 % unprotected intercourse with a casual partner, and 24 % sex trading for money/methamphetamine. The strongest predictor of all sexual risk behaviors was concurrent other drug use. Over half had not been HIV tested in the past year, and 25 % had never been tested, although attitudes toward HIV testing were overwhelmingly positive. This population of primarily heterosexual, non-injecting methamphetamine users is a high-risk group in need of targeted HIV prevention interventions. Substance abuse treatment is an ideal setting in which to reach methamphetamine users for HIV services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Box 90519, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. christina.meade@duke.edu.|Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA. christina.meade@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Christina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Meade
authors.affiliation: Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Lion
authors.affiliation: Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Daniella M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.affiliation: Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Joska
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Hetta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gouse
authors.affiliation: City Health, City of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burnhams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012931:Social Environment; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Drug abuse; HIV transmission; Methamphetamine; Sexual risk behavior; South Africa; Substance abuse treatment