CONDOM USE RATES FOR SPECIFIC SEXUAL BEHAVIORS AMONG OPIOID ABUSERS ENTERING TREATMENT

A structured interview was used to determine the details of high risk sexual behaviors, including number of sexual partners, frequency of co ndom use, and involvement in commercial sexual activity in 165 opioid abusers (mean age 34 years, 36% minority, 47% female) entering out-pat ient methadone substitution therapy. The median number of sexual partn ers in the sample was one, and 95% were sexually active in the past ye ar. Most patients (84%) denied any commercial sexual activity and repo rted rates of monogamy and sexual abstinence (81%), and rates of condo m use (15%), that were comparable with reports from general population surveys. However, intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) remain at higher r isk for exposure to HIV-1 because they are likelier to have sexual con tact with other IVDAs and former IVDAs. Continuing efforts are needed to improve the safe sex practices of IVDAs, but it may be a significan t challenge to reduce their high risk sexual behavior considerably bel ow that of the general population. Concomitant drug abuse treatment ma y help in efforts to accomplish sexual behavior change.