![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.png)
Geneva Edwards1, SSuN Authors, Charlotte Kent1
1Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA;
Word count: 250 (target 250)
Background: Methamphetamine use has been associated with high risk sexual behavior, and among men who have sex with men, with increased risk for STD and HIV acquisition. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of methamphetamine use and factors associated with methamphetamine use among heterosexuals with gonorrhea.
Methods: We examined gonorrhea data collected from 10 counties in 5 metropolitan areas (Denver CO, Minneapolis MN, Richmond VA, San Francisco CA, and Seattle WA) that participated in the STD Surveillance Network (SSuN). Sites used common protocols and collect data from STD clinics, and from interviews of persons with gonorrhea reported from outside the clinics.
Results: Of 5,934 heterosexuals with gonorrhea, 1.5% (90) reported methamphetamine use, and use varied significantly by area (p<.001): CO 1.2%, MN 0.6%, CA 4.9%, VA 0.1% and WA 3.4%. Except for WA, there was no significant difference in reported methamphetamine use from persons diagnosed in STD clinics versus elsewhere. Compared with whites, Blacks were significantly less likely to use methamphetamine (OR=0.12 (95%CI 0.07-0.21). Methamphetamine use was significantly associated with unemployment, anonymous sex partners, exchanging money/drugs for sex, recent history of incarceration and poly-drug use.
Conclusion: While methamphetamine use was uncommon among heterosexuals with gonorrhea, it varied significantly by region, with greatest use in the west. Those who use methamphetamine have a constellation of high risk behaviors; they might be a core population to target for intervention.
Implications: Methamphetamine use should be assessed among persons with gonorrhea in regions with higher use, and persons referred for risk reduction management.
Key Words: methamphetamine, heterosexuals, influencing factors, gonorrhea, sexually transmitted disease
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation the learner will be able to understand why methamphetamine use should be assessed among persons with sexually transmitted diseases in regions of higher use and for risk reduction management.