A model to provide comprehensive testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections at a short-term drug treatment center.

Substance users are at high risk for blood-borne infections as well as those that are transmitted sexually. Substance abuse treatment centers present an opportunity to offer comprehensive counseling and testing (CCT) for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to this high-risk population. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of one model of CCT among substance users.

Racial differences in serum lipids in HIV+ women treated with protease inhibitor regimens.

Purpose: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in Caucasian and African American HIV+ women undergoing treatment with HAART including a protease inhibitor (PI).

Method: Anthropometric measures and fasting blood samples were obtained from 32 Caucasian and 10 African American women. Serum was analyzed for glucose, insulin, and lipid levels.

Acceptability of sexually transmitted infection screening among women in short-term substance abuse treatment.

Background: Substance abuse treatment centers provide an opportunity to offer sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening to a high-risk and hard-to-reach population.

Goal: The goal was to assess STI prevalence, risk factors, and acceptability of STI screening among females at substance abuse treatment centers with use of urine testing by ligase chain reaction and self-collected swab specimens.

Study Design: Adult, female inpatients were offered free testing and treatment for chlamydia infection, gonorrhea, and trichomonas infection.