Sexual risk behaviors in non-injecting substance-dependent Brazilian patients.

This study seeks to evaluate sexual risk behaviors in non-injecting substance-dependent patients admitted for specialized inpatient Brazilian care. A cross-sectional study using socio-demographic and sexual behavior information, drug of choice, Short Alcohol Dependence Data, Drug Abuse Screening, and Test for Nicotine Dependence was used in 299 subjects with different levels of sexual vulnerability as measured by the number of sexual partners in the last year and the frequency of condom use with intercourse/penetration. The findings showed that approximately 39% the subjects of the high risk sexual behavior group exhibited a higher prevalence of others sexual risk behaviors, including having sex with sex workers (RP=1.96), homosexual experiences, and homosexual experiences in exchange for drugs, history of STIs (RP=1.39), HIV testing, use of the morning– after pill (RP=1.78) and induced abortion. The probability of alcohol and cocaine snorted user having high risk sexual behaviors is 2.47 and 1.66 times respectively higher than crack users. In addition, users with substantial or severe levels of problems with drugs had a probability of 3.64 times greater of high risk sexual behaviors. Identifying, preventing, and managing these high risk sexual behaviors related to alcohol and other drugs are an excellent opportunity to bolster their treatment.