       Document 0617
 DOCN  M9630617
 TI    [Partnership and sex behavior of consumers of illegal drugs: a survey of
       654 persons in the open drug scene in Zurich]
 DT    9603
 AU    Muller T; Abteilung fur Klinische Immunologie, Universitatsspital;
       Zurich.
 SO    Soz Praventivmed. 1995;40(5):285-97. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96076559
 AB    In the spring of 1991, a survey was carried out in the open drug scene
       in Zurich's Platzspitz area with the objective of studying drug users'
       behaviour with regard to relationships and sexuality, a random sample of
       654 users (both male and female) of illegal drugs being interviewed and
       the data drawn from these interviews being compared with corresponding
       data on average young adults aged 17 to 30. The latter data have been
       continuously collected since 1986 to evaluate Switzerland's strategy to
       prevent AIDS. About fifty per cent of drug users are in steady
       relationships, which is a smaller proportion than among average young
       adults. On the other hand, occasional sexual contacts (whether or not a
       steady relationship exists) are three times as frequent among drug
       users. The use of condoms is slightly more frequent here than among the
       average population, but is not as yet-and especially among those who are
       HIV-positive-consistent enough by any means. The influence of drug abuse
       on sexuality is usually felt to be negative (decline in libidinal
       energy, impotence), and often brings about a decrease in sexual
       contacts. This is equally true of both opiates and stimulants (cocaine,
       amphetamine). Promiscuous behaviour is rare as such and does not occur
       with any greater frequency than among the average population. However, a
       large proportion of drug users is at some stage exposed to prostitution.
       In summary, one can say that the preventive strategy continues to be
       deficient where the sexual activities of drug users are concerned. A
       greater effort should be made, in this context, to target the following
       groups: persons already frequenting advice centers, persons who are
       HIV-positive, and male prostitutes.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Condoms/UTILIZATION  English Abstract  Female  Human
       Libido  Male  Prostitution  Sampling Studies  *Sex Behavior  *Social
       Behavior  Substance Abuse/*PSYCHOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
       Switzerland  Urban Population  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

