Alcohol and substance abuse is associated with considerable health risks. Psychological and physical harm is noticed before an individual becomes addicted, sometimes even after one instance of substance abuse. Substance abuse can cause potentially permanent damage to almost all organs, and there are additional risks associated with the lifestyle of substance abusers. There is a higher tendency for risky behavior, which is associated with the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). According to a World Health Organization report, cocaine use is largely restricted to the Americas, the European Union, and the developed countries of the Oceania, while opioid abuse is apparently restricted to Asian, eastern and central European countries, as well as developed countries of Oceania, North America and countries of the European Union. In Saudi Arabia, substance abuse has emerged as an important public health issue, especially among the younger generation. However, the Saudi Arabian society is bound by considerable cultural and social restrictions, which may prevent addicts from admitting to drug abuse. This also makes it difficult to target this group to spread awareness about STIs and their diagnosis and treatment.

Citation: Fageeh W, Iyer A, Almalki N, Alturkistani W, Yaghmoor S, et al. (2014) Prevalence and Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Inmates of a Drug Rehabilitation Center in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Epidemiol 4:154.

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