Women and substance use in India and Bangladesh

Subst Use Misuse. 2008 Jul;43(8-9):1062-77. doi: 10.1080/10826080801918189.

Abstract

Given the feminization of the HIV epidemic in India and Bangladesh, understanding substance-use-related concerns among women is important for effective HIV prevention. This review is based on published research, reports (2000-2005), and primary data from treatment centers for drug-using women. We identify four main themes: (a) opioid use and injecting drug use in women, (b) alcohol use in sex work settings, (c) sexual transmission of HIV from male-injecting drug users (IDUs) to their regular female sex partners, and (d) sexual violence among female partners of substance-using men. We urge for focused HIV prevention interventions targeting substance-using women and female sex partners of male substance users to reduce vulnerability.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Condoms, Female / statistics & numerical data
  • Domestic Violence / psychology
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sex Work / psychology
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / prevention & control
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data
  • Women's Health*