USE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between the use of illicit drugs and sexual-risk-behavior in a sample of students aged 14 to 21 years at a public high school in São Paulo in 1997. A total of 689 useable questionnaires documented the sample in consumption of psychoactive substances and sexual behavior. Sexual behavior of drug users and non-users was compared regarding history of complete sexual intercourse, age at first sexual intercourse, use of condoms, sexual intercourse with sex workers, and prostitution. Drug users (N = 366) presented a higher frequency of complete sexual intercourse (80.8% of users versus 53.5% of non-users), (N = 323, p<.001), a younger age at first sexual intercourse (on average 15.2 years in users versus 15.7 among non-users, p<.005), a trend toward lower use of condoms (56.7% among users versus 65.3% among non-users, p<.1), and more sexual intercourse with sex workers (31.1% among users versus 15% among non-users, p<.001). Sexual-risk-behavior increased with the number of drugs used. Alcohol and marijuana use were associated with the highest sexual-risk-behavior. These data are essential for the development of more specific preventive strategies, focusing on male alcohol and marijuana users.

• Adolescents
• Drug use
• Sexual behavior
• Sexually transmitted diseases

RESUMEN

Nosotros investigamos la relación entre el uso de drogas ilícitas y la conducta de riesgo sexual en una muestra de estudiantes con edad entre 14 et 21 años en una escuela secundaria pública en São Paulo. Un total de 689 encuestas se cumplió con preguntas sobre el consumo de substancias psicoactivas y la conducta sexual. La conducta sexual de usuarios y de no usuarios de droga fueron comparadas considerando: completa historia de relación sexual, edad de lo primero acto sexual, el uso de condones, acto sexual con obreros del sexo y prostitución. Los usuarios (N = 366) presentaram una frecuencia más alta de acto sexual completo (80.8% de usuarios contra 53.5% de no-usuarios, N = 323, p<.001), la edad más joven por lo primero acto sexual (en promedio 15.2 años en usuarios contra 15.7 entre los no-usuarios, p<.005), una tendencia hacia el uso más bajo de condones (56.7% entre los usuarios contra 65.3% entre los no-usuarios, p<.1) y más contacto sexual con obreros del sexo (31.1% entre los usuarios contra 15% entre los no-usuarios, p<.001). La conducta sexual de riesgo aumentó con el número de drogas usado. El uso del alcohol y de la marihuana fueran asociados con la conducta de riesgo sexual más alta. Ésta información es esencial para el desarrollo de estrategias preventivas más específicas y enfocadas en usuarios masculinos del alcohol y de la marihuana.

RÉSUMÉ

Nous avons enquêté sur le rapport entre l'usage de drogues illicites et comportement du risque sexuel dans un échantillon d'étudiants, d'âge entre 14 à 21 années, à un lycée public dans São Paulo. Un total de 689 questionnaires a été accompli avec les questions sur la consommation de substances psychotropes et comportement sexuel. Le comportement sexuel d'utilisateurs de la drogue et du non utilisateurs a été comparé en regardant: histoire de rapport sexuel complet, vieillissez à le premier rapport sexuel, usage de préservatifs, rapport sexuel avec ouvriers du sexe et prostitution. Des utilisateurs de drogues (N = 366) a présenté une plus haute fréquence de rapport sexuel complet (80.8% d'utilisateurs contre 53.5% de non-utilisateurs, N = 323, p<.001, plus jeune âge à le premier rapport sexuel (sur moyenne 15.2 années dans utilisateurs contre 15.7 parmi non-utilisateurs, p<.005), une tendance vers usage inférieur de préservatifs (56.7% parmi utilisateurs contre 65.3% parmi non-utilisateurs, p<.1) et plus de rapport sexuel avec les ouvriers du sexe (31.1% parmi utilisateurs contre 15% parmi non-utilisateurs, p<.001). Lle comportement sexuel du risque a augmenté avec le nombre de drogues utilisé. L'usage d'alcool et de la marijuana ont été associés avec le plus haut comportement sexuel du risque. Cet information est essentielle pour le développement de stratégies préventives plus spécifiques et concentré dans les utilisateurs masculin de lálcool et de la marijuana.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandra Scivoletto

Sandra Scivoletto, M.D., Ph.D., is a Psychiatrist and Medical Doctor and Executive Coordinator of GREA—Interdisciplinary Group for Studies on Alcohol and Drugs of the Institute and Department of Psychiatry at the Medical School of the University of São Paulo. She is also responsible for the Outpatient Treatment Unit of Adolescent Drug Dependents of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit (SEPIA) in the Institute of Psychiatry. Her main areas of work are treatment of adolescent drug dependents, dual diagnosis in adolescents, education, and prevention programs.

Robinson Koji Tsuji

R. K. Tsuji graduated as a General Doctor at the Medical School of the University of São Paulo in 1999. He is now doing his specialization in otorhinolaryngology.

Carmita Helena Najjar Abdo

Carmita Helena Najar Abdo, M.D., Ph.D., is Psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry from the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo. She is also the founder and coordinator of the “Sexuality Project” of the University of São Paulo (USP). She is a member of the Executive Committee on Humanizing (Ministry of Health, Brazil) and a member of the Committee on Teaching and Education (Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo).

Sueli de Queiroz

Sueli de Queiroz, M.P.H., Ph.D., is currently a Research Scientist with the School of Hygiene and Public Health of the University Department of Maternal-Child Health. From 1996 to 1999 she was Director of Prevention for the Interdisciplinary Group of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs at the Department of Psychiatry, Medical School of the University of São Paulo. Her interests include substance abuse treatment and prevention, and risk, protection, and vulnerability to adolescent drug use. She received her M.P.H. from John Hopkins University, and her Ph.D. in Public Health from São Paulo University.

Arthur Guerra de Andrade

Arthur Guerra de Andrade, M.D., Ph.D., is a Psychiatrist and Medical Doctor. He is currently Professor of Medical Psychology and Psychiatry at the Medical School of ABC, São Paulo, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical School of the University of São Paulo. He is also the Coordinator of GREA—Interdisciplinary Group for Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. His work includes activities in alcohol and drugs control in the areas of treatment, prevention, education, and research. The target groups are the general public, health professionals, treatment providers, employers, and employees.

Wagner Farid Gattaz

Wagner F. Gattaz, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Laboratory of Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil. His main areas of work are clinical and neurobiological research in mental disorders.