Methamphetamine (“tik”) Use and Its Association with Condom Use among Out-of-School Females in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the association between methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors among young South African women between 13 and 20 years of age. Objective: To examine the association between methamphetamine use and condom use among out-of-school South African female adolescents. Methods: Black and Coloured female adolescents were interviewed and categorized into methamphetamine user (n = 261) or non-user (n = 188) groups. Results: Methamphetamine use was reported by 58% of the total sample. Higher methamphetamine rates were found among young Coloured females (87%) than among young Black females (11%). In a multiple logistic regression analysis that adjusted for relevant confounders and included an interaction term for race and methamphetamine use, Coloured female methamphetamine users were over six times more likely than other participants to report not using a condom the last time they had sex (OR = 6.21; 95% CI = 1.21, 31.94). Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Efforts are needed to reduce methamphetamine use and related sexual risk among adolescent females in Coloured communities and to prevent the spread of methamphetamine use in Black African communities.

Keywords :

• Adolescent females
• methamphetamine use
• sexual risk behavior
• South Africa

Notes

1 The terms “Black African,” “Coloured,” “Asian,” and “White” refer to demographic markers that were chosen for their historical significance and that are still used in South Africa today. These markers are important, as accurate user profiles assist in identifying vulnerable population subgroups and in planning effective intervention programs. The term “Coloured” refers to a cultural grouping of mixed-race ancestry.