Methamphetamine use and HIV risk among severely mentally ill inpatients

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 69% of the global HIV burden. Due to a variety of social, economic and behavioural factors, mentally ill patients are more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviours. In turn, co-morbid substance use which is present in up to 75% of mentally ill patients is a leading risk factor for sexual risk behaviours. Worldwide methamphetamines are the most commonly used illicit stimulant. Both injectable and noninjectable methamphetamines have evidenced associations with high risk sexual behaviours. Smoking and inhalation of crystal methamphetamine is the predominant mode of use in South Africa. The use of crystal methamphetamine amongst mentally ill persons in Cape Town has escalated over the last decade. We aimed to determine the occurrence of methamphetamine use and risky sexual practices amongst mentally ill patients. In addition we aimed to explore the associations between methamphetamine use and HIV sexual risk behaviours in a sample of mentally ill inpatients in Cape Town, South Africa.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Moodley, Aneshree

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Temmingh, Henk

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10989

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10989