TRANSACTIONAL SEX IN DRUG USERS AS A RISK FACTOR FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Resumen

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: TRANSACTIONAL SEX (TS) INVOLVES THE EXCHANGE OF AN ECONOMIC GOOD OR SERVICE (ACCOMMODATION, TRANSPORTATION, PROTECTION OR DRUG SUPPLY) FOR ANY KIND OF SEXUAL SERVICES. SEVERAL STUDIES HAVE REPORTED A SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE CONSUMPTION OF HEROINE, CRACK-COCAINE AND OTHER STIMULANTS AND THE EXCHANGE OF SEX FOR MONEY OR DRUGS. A RISK FACTOR FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSACTIONAL SEX DERIVES FROM THE IMPOSSIBILITY TO NEGOTIATE CONDOM USE OR REFUSE HIGH RISK SEXUAL PRACTICES. OBJECTIVE: STUDY DRUG ABUSE AND TRANSACTIONAL SEX AS RISK FACTORS FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS. METHODOLOGY: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTION STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN
AUGUST AND NOVEMBER 2012. THE SAMPLE WAS MADE UP BY OF AGE, SPANISH SPEAKING PATIENTS SEEKING MEDICAL CARE AT THE BI-NATIONAL STUDENT CLINIC (HFiT). RESULTS: IN DRUG USERS THE RISK OF CONTRACTING CHLAMYDIA INCREASED 3%, AND INCREASES 8 FOLDS FOR SYPHILIS, 3 FOLDS FOR GONORRHEA, AND 7 FOLDS
FOR HEPATITIS. IN GENERAL, THE RISK OF CONTRACTING A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION REPORTED WAS OR = 4.25 (2.05-8.80 IC=95%) FOR DRUG USERS PRACTICING TRANSACTIONAL SEX COMPARED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT. CONCLUSION: THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY PROVIDE AN ACTUAL PICTURE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
CHALLENGE THAT PROVIDING ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE TO VULNERABLE PATIENTS REPRESENTS, SINCE THEIR SOCIAL CONTEXT—WHICH INCLUDES UNEMPLOYMENT, DRUG ABUSE, HIGH RISK SEX, MIGRATION, HOMELESSNESS AND STIGMA—CREATES A BARRIER TO ACCESS HEALTH SERVICES.
KEY WORDS: TRANSACTIONAL SEX, DRUGS, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS,
HIV, PUBLIC HEALTH