Elsevier

Addictive Behaviors

Volume 29, Issue 4, June 2004, Pages 807-810
Addictive Behaviors

Short communication
The context of sexual risk behavior among heterosexual methamphetamine users

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.02.013Get rights and content

Abstract

Relatively little is known about the relationship between methamphetamine (meth) use and sexual risk behavior among heterosexual adults. This descriptive study explores the context of sexual risk behavior among HIV-negative, heterosexual meth-using men and women. Drug use history, motivations for meth use, relationship types, and the social–sexual context of meth use were examined as factors that relate to sexual risk behavior and meth use. The majority of participants were white males with an average age of 38.6 years. Primary motivations for current meth use were to get high, to get more energy, and to party. Participants used meth an average of 14 days per month and consumed an average of 7.9 g during this period. The average number of unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex acts over a 2-month period were 21.5, 6.3, and 41.7, respectively. Participants reported an average of 9.4 sex partners over 2 months. The findings are discussed in relation to HIV prevention messages and the development of sexual risk reduction interventions for HIV-negative, heterosexual meth users.

Introduction

Studies conducted with gay and bisexual men have shown a link between methampethamine (meth) use and high-risk sex (e.g., Reback, 1997). However, little attention has been paid to the association between meth use and sexual risk among heterosexuals. One of the few studies to gather data on heterosexuals concluded that noninjection users of meth engage in multiple sexual risk behaviors that place them at risk for contracting HIV/STDs (Molitor, Truax, Ruiz, & Sun, 1998).

The present study characterizes a sample of HIV-negative, heterosexual meth users. It explores drug use history, motivations for meth use, relationship types, the social–sexual context of meth use, and sexual risk behavior. The findings from this study help to guide the development of sexual risk reduction interventions for HIV-negative, heterosexual meth users.

Section snippets

Method

These analyses used baseline data from a sample of 139 HIV-negative, heterosexually identified meth users who were enrolled in a sexual risk reduction intervention. Eligible participants were men and women who self-identified as heterosexual, reported having unprotected sex at least once, and using meth at least twice in the past 2 months. The majority of participants were recruited through a poster/media campaign and referrals.

Amount of meth used (in grams) and injection drug use were recorded

Results

The majority of participants were male, Caucasian, high-school educated, never married, unemployed, and living with other adults. The average age was 38.6 years. Twenty-nine percent of the sample reported having one or more STDs in the past 2 months, 17% had a Hepatitis C diagnosis, and 11% had a Hepatitis B diagnosis. The average age of first meth use was 23.2 (S.D.=9.2). The three main reasons why participants started using meth were to get high (49.7%), to experiment (46.2%), and to party

Discussion

These findings have implications for HIV prevention and the development of sexual risk reduction interventions for heterosexual meth users. The observed variability in terms of individual histories suggests that one-on-one counseling is likely to be the most effective format for this population, primarily because sessions can be tailored to the individual. We recommend a client-centered approach that seeks to understand the client at an individual level.

Our data suggest that changing drug use

Acknowledgements

Support for this work was provided, in part, by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant 1 R01 MH61146-01A2, National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) R01 DA12116, NIMH Center grant 2 P50 MH45294, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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