Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9;5:753 (abstract no. W.D.P.61). Unique

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of black adolescent crack cocaine users and assess their risk for sexually- contracted HIV. METHODS: 204 black adolescent crack users in Oakland and San Francisco, California, were surveyed about their use of crack and other drugs, their sexual partners, their sexually transmitted disease (STD) history, their attitudes toward condoms, their use of condoms, and their use of crack during sexual activity. RESULTS: 100 respondents (49%) reported using crack in combination with sexual activity. Of those mixing crack with sex, 50% reported a history of one or more STD's, as compared with 29% (significant at p less than .01) of those who did not combine sexual activity with crack use. A history of gonorrhea was more prevalent among those combining sex with crack (42%) than among those who did not (13%, significant at p less than .001). The prevalence of STD history among those who reported both having sold crack and having combined sexual activity with crack use (92% for females, 48% for males) was much higher than for those who did not (22% for females, 13% for males). CONCLUSION: Given the prevalence of a history of STD reported by respondents, particularly among those who have sold crack and among those who combine crack use with sexual activity, the risks for contracting and transmitting HIV in this population appear to be great. Further studies to assess HIV prevalence among crack users and dealers and expanded efforts to develop and test interventions to prevent HIV spread within this population are urgently needed.

*Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/TRANSMISSION Adolescence Attitude *Blacks *Cocaine Contraceptive Devices, Male/UTILIZATION Female Human Male Risk Factors *Substance Abuse ABSTRACT