Publications (2)4.82 Total impact
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Article: Associations of substance abuse and sexual risks with self-reported depressive symptoms in young adults in northern Thailand.
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ABSTRACT: Depression among young adults is a significant mental health issue worldwide. Withdrawal from amphetamine and chronic alcohol use is associated with significant increases in depressive symptoms. Young adults with depressive symptoms are more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors than peers who are not depressed. We investigated the association between substance abuse and sexual risk behaviors with recent depressive symptoms (using the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D] scale) in a sample of 1189 young adults aged 18 to 25 years in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who were recruited based on recent methamphetamine use or were sex partners of a methamphetamine user. High reports of depressive symptoms, based on CES-D scores ≥22, were seen in 45% of women and 31% of men (P < 0.0001) and were associated with alcohol problems (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener [CAGE] score and frequency of drunkenness) and frequent methamphetamine use in men but not women. For women, higher depressive symptoms were associated with greater numbers of reported sexual partners during the past year where condoms were infrequently used. These results point to the importance of identifying substance abuse among young adults in Thailand and its contribution to depressive symptoms and the importance of recognizing depression as a significant public mental health problem in this population.Journal of Addiction Medicine 06/2008; 2(2):66-73. · 1.95 Impact Factor -
Article: Sexually transmitted infections and sexual and substance use correlates among young adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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ABSTRACT: Data on the prevalence of and associated behavioral risk factors for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in young adults in Asia have not been widely studied. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2005--2006 among 658 sexually active participants aged 18 to 25 years, the majority having a history of recent methamphetamine (MA) use. Data were collected by interview and STI were detected using standard laboratory assays. Overall, 38% of participants had at least one laboratory confirmed STI. Herpes simplex virus and Chlamydia were significantly more common among women, whereas hepatitis B virus was significantly more common among men. Men reported a greater number of sexual partners than women, and condom use at last sex was infrequent. Most participants reported using MA at least weekly, with men more frequent users than women, and more often giving reports of frequent drunkenness and lifetime arrests. Behavioral correlates of prevalent STI were similar to the published literature. In multivariate analysis, women > or =20 years of age, with > or =2 heterosexual partners in the past year and a younger age at sexual debut were significantly more likely to have a prevalent STI. Men > or =20 years of age, with > or =2 heterosexual partners in the past year and who enrolled both sex and drug network members were significantly more likely to have a prevalent STI, whereas men who used a condom at last sex were significantly less likely to have a prevalent STI. Substance abuse was associated with behavioral risks but not with prevalent STI. Sexual risks and substance abuse are substantially elevated among young Thai MA users, but only sexual risks are associated with prevalent STI.Sex Transm Dis 04/2008; 35(4):400-5. · 2.87 Impact Factor
