Cocaine use and high-risk sexual behavior among STD clinic patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Crack-smoking sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients are at high-risk for contracting HIV.

GOAL OF THE STUDY

To examine the effects of cocaine use and other correlates on high-risk sexual behavior among STD clinic patients.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study of 1,490 consecutive patients attending three Los Angeles County STD clinics between 1992 and 1994.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis found high-risk sexual activity was associated with being a male and being of younger age. Among women, high-risk sexual behavior was associated with crack cocaine use and a perceived need for help. Among the men in the study, ethnicity (being black) and having an arrest history were associated with high-risk behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Effective intervention strategies should address cocaine use among STD patients and provide them with referrals to drug treatment.