Study Finds High STI Rates Among Opioid Therapy Users
Researchers report elevated chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection rates in women receiving opioid agonist therapy.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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A retrospective study of 6800 Australian women receiving opioid agonist therapy between 2012 and 2025 has identified concerning rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The findings highlight significant health disparities, with women under 30 experiencing a 7% infection rate.
Why it matters
Women managing opioid dependence often encounter substantial barriers to essential sexual healthcare, including challenges related to cost, access, and social stigma. This data underscores a critical gap in reproductive health support for a vulnerable population.
The study found repeat infection rates of 21% for chlamydia and 18% for gonorrhoea among participants. These figures represent a cohort of 6800 women drawn from a broader population of approximately 60,000 Australians receiving daily opioid agonist therapy.
The players
ACCESS surveillance network
This is a specialised clinical research programme that monitors trends in sexual health and blood-borne viruses across various Australian healthcare settings.
The details
Researchers utilized data from the ACCESS surveillance network to review testing results, noting that only one-third of the cohort had received a recorded screening for these infections. Despite the lower screening uptake, the high incidence of repeat positive tests highlights persistent challenges in managing sexual health outcomes for this group.
Timeline
The study analyzed patient data collected over the period from 2012 to 2025.
There were 3123 authorised prescribers of opioid agonist therapy in Australia during 2023.
Health Landscape
This research follows the established protocols of the ACCESS surveillance network to uncover specific health trends among marginalised groups. By focusing on opioid agonist therapy patients, the study fills a critical knowledge gap in Australia's broader public health and sexual health surveillance framework.
The study results highlight the importance of proactive sexual health screening for patients receiving opioid agonist therapy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to discuss routine STI testing with patients to address these elevated infection rates and improve long-term wellness.
The takeaway
This analysis demonstrates that women in opioid treatment programmes require more integrated sexual health services to overcome persistent barriers to care. Routine screening is vital to reducing the high rates of repeat infections found within this cohort.
Further reading
For more information on national trends and support services, visit the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Racgp.
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