Gender Differences in Risk Factors for Gonorrhea Among Alaskan Drug Users

Abstract

SUMMARY This study developed separate models predicting risk for gonorrhea infection among female and male drug users in Anchorage Alaska. Data were collected with the Risk Behavior Assessment, a structured interview that was administered to 728 male and 321 female adult participants who were currently not in drug treatment. History of gonorrhea infection was self-reported and coded as ever or never. The risk factors for women are trading sex for money, being American Indian or Alaska Native, perceiving oneself as homeless, and trading sex for drugs. For men the risk factors are injecting or snorting cocaine, being Black, being older, acquiring illegal income excluding prostitution, and using amphetamines. Results are useful for guiding public health intervention and policy development in drug using populations in Alaska.