Sexually transmitted infections in the population of drug dependents

Abused drugs have several effects on sexual behaviour, which are related to the type, quantity, modality of assumption, and duration of abuse. Specifically, persons under the influence of drugs may fail to practice safe sex, increasing the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and of unplanned pregnancies. In recent years, many studies have been conducted to explore the association between drug use and the risk of STD, including HIV infection. The present paper is a review of these studies, which have been conducted in different parts of the world and among individuals with various modalities of drug assumption.