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Abstract
Methamphetamine use and sexual risks for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
Simbayi L.1, Kalichman S.2, Cain D.3, Cherry C.4, Dwadwa-Henda N.1, Cloete A.1
Objectives: The current study is among the first to examine the use of Methamphetamine (Meth) in a South African community sample.
Methods: Street intercept methods were used to collect surveys of substance use and sexual behavior from 441 men and 521 women living in a township in Cape Town South Africa.
Results: The study found that 78 (18%) men and 63 (12%) women had tried Meth and 49 (11%) men and 34 (6%) women had used Meth in the preceding six months. Meth was the second most commonly used non-alcohol drug only next to cannabis. We found that Meth use was closely associated with other drug use, indicating a pattern of poly-substance use among Meth users. Recent Meth use was associated with being male and with engaging unprotected intercourse and having multiple sex partners in the previous six months. Meth users also demonstrated greater condom use than non-users, although less than half of all intercourse occasions among Meth users were condom protected.
Conclusions: These results suggest that Meth is used by a substantial and likely growing number of people in this Cape Town township and the close association of Meth to sexual risk practices raises concern that Meth could fuel the spread of HIV infection in new South African sub-populations.
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract no.
WEPEC019
Suggested Citation
"SimbayiL., et al.
Methamphetamine use and sexual risks for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa.
Poster exhibition:
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention:
Abstract no.
WEPEC019"
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