LAUSR

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the features of drug consumption, risk-entailing sexual conduct, and the typology of addiction treatment center users in Mexico and Central America. Methods: The information source was integrated using two databases built from two studies carried out at addiction treatment centers in eight countries. A total of 622 male drug users, aged over 18 years and sexually active during the last year, were included. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to perform a statistic analysis. For user characterization, a typology was established using a factorial analys is as well as a cluster analysis. Results: Significant differences were identified between countries regarding the socio-demographic variables, tobacco, and illicit drug consumption sometime during the individual lives, licit and illicit drug consumption over the last 12 months, and risk-entailing sexual conduct. The countries that reported HIV-positive cases were Mexico and Belize. After classification, three clusters were identified, the third of which encompassed the highest risk sexual practices under the influence of drugs. Conclusions: This work contributes to the elucidation of behavioral features as well as the connection between HIV and drug consumption that has been overlooked in related international reports. Furthermore, it is shown that overall drug consumption, not only that of the injectable type, places individuals in risk-entailing situations by causing them to lose control over their behavior and emotions.