Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare sociodemographic characteristics, patterns of drug use, and risky sexual behaviour among female and male users of crack cocaine.MethodsBetween 2012 and 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 919 crack cocaine users (783 men and 136 women) in Central Brazil using face-to-face interviews. Blood samples were collected to test for syphilis. The Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) was used to explore the differences between genders. We implemented two models: the first model included previous incarceration and variables related to patterns of drug use, and the second model included variables related to sexual risky behaviours and syphilis exposure.ResultsWomen consumed more crack cocaine than men on a regular basis; however, poly-drug use was more common among men. More women than men reported exchanging sex for money and/or drugs and inconsistent condom use during sexual intercourse; women also reported more sexual partners. In addition, the frequency of sexual violence was higher for women than men. A higher proportion of women than men were positive for syphilis (27.2% vs. 9.2%; p < 0.001). The CHAID decision tree analysis identified seven variables that differentiated the genders: previous incarceration, marijuana use, daily crack cocaine consumption, age at first illicit drug use, sexual violence, exchange of sex for money and/or drugs, and syphilis exposure.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate a difference in patterns of crack cocaine consumption and sexual risky behaviours between genders, thus indicating a need for gender-specific interventions in this population.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to compare sociodemographic characteristics, patterns of drug use, and risky sexual behaviour among female and male users of crack cocaine
Our study presents the first data on differences in the patterns of consumption of illicit drugs, risky sexual behaviours, and syphilis exposure in crack users in Central Brazil
We found no differences in sociodemographic characteristics between genders for crack cocaine users in Central Brazil
Summary
The aim of this study was to compare sociodemographic characteristics, patterns of drug use, and risky sexual behaviour among female and male users of crack cocaine. The consumption of cocaine and crack cocaine are serious public health problems, especially in Latin American countries such as Brazil [1]. These substances have been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates due to violence, chemical dependence, chronic non-communicable diseases, and infectious diseases, especially sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [2, 3]. Brazil has one of the highest prevalence rates of cocaine and crack cocaine (“crack”) use; it is a major consumer market for cocaine [4]. A multicentre study conducted in Brazil estimated that 0.81% of the Brazilian population (370,000 individuals) regularly uses crack or similar products (cocaine base paste, merla, and oxi). Crack consumption has been an important cause of hospitalisation in the context of drug addiction [6]
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