[Sex behavior and sexually transmitted diseases in drug-dependent women: study of 465 cases].

465 intravenous drug abuser (IVDA) women were studied to evaluate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, 2207 university students have been considered as control group. A complete gynecological evaluation with Pap smear and cervico-vaginal cultures were performed. Informations on sexual and behavioural patterns were collected using a standard questionnaire. IVDAs show early onset of sexual activity (15 vs. 18 yrs) and many sexual partners; just a small percentage of them use condom, efficacious in the protection against venereal diseases. These peculiar behavioural patterns and the immunodeficiency ascribable to the drug abuse may condition the high frequency of viral and bacterial infections of lower genital tract (53% vs 0.8% and 67% vs 10% respectively). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia has been found significantly more frequently in IVDA women (16%) than in control group (1%) p less than .01.