Prescription Drug Misuse and Sexual Behavior Among Young Adults

Abstract

Though research indicates a complex link between substance use and sexual risk behavior, there is limited research on the association between sexual risk behavior and prescription drug misuse. In light of the alarming increases in prescription drug misuse and the role of demographic characteristics in sexual risk behavior and outcomes, the current study examines demographic differences (gender, sexual identity, age, relationship status, parental class background, and race/ethnicity) in sexual risk behavior, sexual behavior under the influence of prescription drugs, and sexual risk behavior under the influence of prescription drugs in a sample of 402 young adults (18–29) who misuse prescription drugs. Nearly half of the sexually active young adult prescription drug misusers in this sample reported recent sex under the influence of prescription drugs, more than three quarters reported recent sex without a condom, and more than one-third reported recent sex without a condom after using prescription drugs. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models indicated that white race, younger age, higher parental class, and being a heterosexual man were all associated with sexual risk behavior, sex under the influence of prescription drugs, and sexual risk under the influence of prescription drugs. Findings have implications for the targeting of prevention and intervention efforts.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Selected Correlates of High risk Sexual Behavior in Polish Migrants Resident in the United Kingdom

“…Impaired mental health can lead to increased health risk behavior, such as alcohol and drug abuse [ 26 , 27 ]. Substance use was defined as a longitudinal predictor of risky sexual behavior [ 12 , 15 , 28 , 29 ] and was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of the incidence of HIV infection [ 30 ]. Sex while under the influence of drugs was found to be prevalent among migrants, especially males [ 12 ].…”

Mapping Contextual Drivers of HIV Vulnerability: A Qualitative Study of African, Caribbean, Black Youth in Windsor, Canada

“…In addition, participants reported going to hidden places away from parents and homes to use drugs, party and indulge in sexual activity. These findings have been documented in other empirical studies showing that young boys and girls use drugs like marijuana and alcohol, which may affect their decision-making [42], and invariable lead to risky behaviors including anal sex [43][44][45][46], violence [47][48][49][50][51], unprotected sex [52], and having casual and/or opportunistic sex [53][54][55][56][57][58].…”

Index Admission Characteristics and All-Cause Readmissions Analysis in Younger and Older Adults with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

“…For example, a study in Dijon, France, found higher incidences in women but was perhaps linked to increased smoking use; a Barcelona study showed that more men presented with ICH but 3-month mortality did not differ; and the Global Burden of Diseases 2010 study found that hemorrhagic stroke occurs disproportionately among those <65 years from low-income countries [21][22][23]. However, younger men <30 years of age are more likely to engage in higher risk behavior and may increase their risk profile [24]. While physiological differences between sexes are typically uncontrollable, behavioral risk factors are modifiable and timely identification of traditional cardiovascular risk factors could aid in primary prevention of ICH.…”