Researchers conducted this study to assess risk for unintended pregnancy, this study describes the correlates of UPSI among women who inject illicit drugs or who have sexual partners who inject drugs.
Researchers collected data from a cross-sectional survey, and biological test results from 202 Russian women were analyzed. They used multivariate regression to investigate the correlates of UPSI occurring at the women’s last sexual act. Independent variables included socio-demographics, age at sexual debut, first sexual encounter perceived as involuntary, sporadic heavy drinking, at-risk drinking per the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test score, and sexually transmitted infections.
The analysis revealed that Sixty-seven percent of women reported UPSI at last intercourse. UPSI was independently associated with sporadic heavy drinking and having been pregnant.
The study concluded that despite the high risk for HIV acquisition or transmission and unintended pregnancy, condom use among the study population is low. Programs to investigate and improve contraceptive use, including condom use, are needed among this vulnerable group. Such programs may require identifying and targeting female reproductive health concerns and problem drinking, hefty sporadic alcohol, rather than conventional alcohol misuse measures.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/39/3/179
