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Crack cocaine and sex
Michael J Maranda1, Chenglong Han, Gregory A Rainone
1School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
|November 24, 2004
Summary
Crack cocaine use is significantly associated with having multiple sexual partners for both men and women. This association was observed across various sexual activities, highlighting a key public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
- Sociology
Background:
- Crack cocaine addiction is a significant public health issue with complex social and behavioral correlates.
- Understanding the relationship between substance use and sexual behavior is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between crack cocaine use and the number of sexual partners.
- To analyze these associations across different types of sexual activity and for both genders.
Main Methods:
- Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were employed.
- A national treatment cohort of 4939 individuals was analyzed.
- Number of sexual partners was dichotomized (none/one vs. multiple) for logistic analysis.
Main Results:
- Crack cocaine use showed a significant positive association with having multiple sexual partners for both genders.
- Individuals using crack cocaine reported more partners across all queried sexual activities compared to non-users.
- Cocaine use (powder or crack) was positively associated with prostitution; odds ratios for crack cocaine use varied by sexual activity type and gender.
Conclusions:
- Crack cocaine use is strongly linked to increased numbers of sexual partners, independent of prostitution.
- The association between crack cocaine use and sexual behavior underscores the need for integrated treatment approaches.
- Controlling for prostitution significantly reduced the observed odds ratios, particularly for women, suggesting a complex interplay.