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. 2000 Oct;90(10):1615–1618. doi: 10.2105/ajph.90.10.1615

Risk and prevalence of treatable sexually transmitted diseases at a Birmingham substance abuse treatment facility.

L H Bachmann 1, I Lewis 1, R Allen 1, J R Schwebke 1, L C Leviton 1, H A Siegal 1, E W Hook 3rd 1
PMCID: PMC1446369  PMID: 11029998

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and syphilis in patients entering residential drug treatment. METHODS: Data on sexual and substance abuse histories were collected. Participants provided specimens for chlamydia and gonorrhea ligase chain reaction testing. Trichomonas vaginalis culture, and syphilis serologic testing. RESULTS: Of 311 patients, crack cocaine use was reported by 67% and multisubstance use was reported by 71%. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk behaviors were common. The prevalence of infection was as follows: Chlamydia trachomatis, 2.3%; Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 1.6%; trichomoniasis, 43%; and syphilis, 6%. CONCLUSIONS: STD counseling and screening may be a useful adjunct to inpatient drug treatment.

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Selected References

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