Recreational drug use by GUM clinic attendees

Abstract

Recreational drug use (RDU) is widespread in the United Kingdom.1 Studies have suggested that RDU is associated with an increased risk of STI or blood borne virus (BBV) acquisition.2–6 A search of Medline 1966–2000 found no studies looking at the prevalence of RDU in UK genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. Therefore this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of RDU by attendees of the Plymouth GUM clinic and to see if the diagnosis of an STI is more common in illicit drug users. The local research ethics committee approved the study. New patients attending the clinic between August and November 2000 completed a questionnaire which listed a number of …