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BACKGROUND: Substance use increases both the risk of HIV and other STIs, either directly (through needle sharing) or indirectly (through its association with sexual risk-taking). The association of substance use and STIs has not yet studied in Southwestern Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to determine the association between substance use and STIs on clients under follow up in ART clinic at JUSH. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on clients under follow up at ART clinic from June 10 to July 10, 2011 at JUSH. Data collection was done using a standardized pre-coded and pre-tested questionnaire. Trained ART adherence counselors and nurse counselors were involved in data collection and to administer interviews. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. The Chi-squared test was used to measure the levels of significance. P-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty eight ART attendees who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate were participated in the study. More than half of the respondents, 220 (65.1%) were females. The mean age of the respondents was 33.6 ± 8.04 (SD) years and a large proportion of the respondents (46.2%) were in the age group of 25-34 years. Clients who reported that they had STIs were 35.5%. Those who consumed alcohol were more likely to have contracted in STIs: adj. OR (95% CI) =0.46 (0.26-0.80). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of STIs is equally distributed among female and male clients. Substance use, particularly alcohol consumption, might be a cause for STIs risk in HIV positive people. Health education and counseling which focus on the identified risk factors has to be provided. The health education and counseling should be provided to these people on ART appointments and follow-up care. KEYWORDS: Substance use, STIs, alcohol consumption and unprotected sex.
Learning Objectives: 1. To determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and STIs among ART attendees in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. 2. To assess the prevalence of STIs among ART attendees in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. 3. To determine the association between substance use and Sexually Transmitted Infections among ART attendees in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. 4. To identify sexual risk behaviours among ART attendees in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.