FEMALE SEXUAL HEALTH-PROBLEMS IN A DRUG DEPENDENCY UNIT

The Government of the United Kingdom has produced a strategic plan cal led the Health of the Nation aimed at achieving better health in key a reas including a reduction in rates of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer. Conventional health care sys tems fail some groups with special needs. This cross-sectional intervi ew study was undertaken to determine the level and type of contracepti ve use, and the attitudes of female opiate abusers to the use and avai lability of contraceptives and cytology services. The subjects were 20 1 opiate-dependent women enrolled in a methadone maintenance programme in a large drug dependency unit: 169 (84.5%) were sexually active and 65 (44.2%) of non-pregnant sexually active women did not use a contra ceptive method. Thirty-six (43.9%) of those using a contraceptive were using condoms, with which the majority were dissatisfied. Sixty-one ( 30.3%) had never had a cervical cytology smear and of those who had, 2 1.4% reported an abnormal result. The contraceptive practices-and upta ke of cervical screening services by the women studied are inadequate, reflecting poor use of conventional healthcare services. In addition to providing information on safer sexual practices, particularly promo tion of condom use, we suggest that drug dependency units should expan d their role to provide educational and preventative services to inclu de aspects of women's health.