scholarly journals Correlates of Alcohol-Using Network Size Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in San Francisco, CA

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 155798832110070
Author(s):  
Alex Garcia ◽  
Chris Rowe ◽  
Caitlin Turner ◽  
Glenn-Milo Santos
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Polysubstance Use ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Sex With Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption. While network-level characteristics such as social network size have been indicated as upstream determinants of alcohol use in general population samples, no studies have examined factors associated with alcohol using network size (ANS), among MSM. This secondary analysis examined demographic, substance use, and sexual behavior correlates of ANS using data from a diverse sample of alcohol-using MSM in San Francisco ( N = 252). Associations were calculated using multivariable negative binomial regression, adjusting for age, race, education, and employment. The median ANS was 10. Factors associated with larger ANS in multivariable analyses included identifying as Hispanic/Latino, having completed a college education or higher, having a higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score, having a greater number of sexual partners, polysubstance use, and being unaware of one’s own HIV status. Factors associated with smaller ANS included being between 18 and 24 years of age, reporting a low income, and having any lifetime history of injection drug use. For MSM, ANS was associated with increased likelihood of hazardous alcohol use, as well specific individual-level substance use and sexual risk behaviors. These results highlight the role of ANS in hazardous alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted infection transmission among MSM. These results also indicate ways that research and intervention programs aimed at reducing alcohol use among MSM might be improved through network-based recruitment or engagement. Finally, these results suggest the need for further research on HIV-unknown MSM.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption and binge drinking among men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. e0202170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn-Milo Santos ◽  
Christopher Rowe ◽  
Jaclyn Hern ◽  
John E. Walker ◽  
Arsheen Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Sex With Men

scholarly journals Mental Health, Sexual Orientation, and Perceived Social Network Support in Relation to Hazardous Alcohol Consumption Among Active Duty Military Men

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 155798832097630
Author(s):  
Cheríe S. Blair ◽  
Shannon Dunlap ◽  
Michael Tzen ◽  
Carl A. Castro ◽  
Jeremy T. Goldbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Network Support ◽  
Social Network Support ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

Knowledge surrounding perceived network support and alcohol consumption among active duty U.S. military personnel is limited, particularly among sexual minorities. We sought to determine the correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption and whether perceived network support moderated the relationship between sexual orientation and Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT-C) score. The sample comprised cisgender men currently serving in the U.S. military ( N = 292). Participants were recruited through respondent-driven sampling and completed an online survey. Logistic regression analysis evaluated associations between positive AUDIT-C with sociodemographic characteristics (including sexual orientation), military service, mental health, and perceived social network support. Interaction analysis assessed the moderating effect of perceived network support on sexual orientation and AUDIT-C. Among study participants, 52.7% (154/292) had positive AUDIT-C, while 65.4% (191/292) self-identified as heterosexual/straight and 34.6% (101/292) identified as gay or bisexual. In adjusted analysis, positive AUDIT-C was associated with increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 1.03; 95% CI [1.00, 1.06]; p = .019) and high perceived network support (adjOR 1.85; 95% CI [1.04, 3.29]; p = .036), while mental health service utilization had reduced odds of positive AUDIT-C (adjOR 0.40; 95% CI [0.20, 0.78]; p = .007). In interaction analysis, high perceived network support was associated with increased odds of positive AUDIT-C among sexual minority men (adjOR 3.09; 95% CI [1.21, 7.93]; p = .019) but not heterosexual men (adjOR 1.38; 95% CI [0.68, 2.81]; p = .37). Hazardous alcohol use was prevalent among all men in our sample. Perceived social network support may influence hazardous alcohol consumption, particularly among sexual minority servicemen. These findings suggest the potential role of tailored social network-based interventions to decrease hazardous alcohol use among military personnel.

scholarly journals Alcohol consumption, substance use, and depression in relation to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) nonadherence among gay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Shuper ◽  
Narges Joharchi ◽  
Isaac I. Bogoch ◽  
Mona Loutfy ◽  
Frederic Crouzat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Harmful Alcohol ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Acquisition ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) substantially diminishes the likelihood of HIV acquisition, poor adherence can decrease the HIV-protective benefits of PrEP. The present investigation sought to identify the extent to which alcohol consumption, substance use, and depression were linked to PrEP nonadherence among gay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (gbMSM). Methods gbMSM (age ≥ 18, prescribed PrEP for ≥3 months) were recruited from two clinics in Toronto, Canada for an e-survey assessing demographics; PrEP nonadherence (4-day PrEP-focused ACTG assessment); hazardous and harmful alcohol use (AUDIT scores of 8–15 and 16+, respectively); moderate/high risk substance use (NIDA M-ASSIST scores > 4); depression (CESD-10 scores ≥10); and other PrEP-relevant factors. The primary outcome, PrEP nonadherence, entailed missing one or more PrEP doses over the past 4 days. A linear-by-linear test of association assessed whether increasing severity of alcohol use (i.e., based on AUDIT categories) was linked to a greater occurrence of PrEP nonadherence. Univariate logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with PrEP nonadherence, and factors demonstrating univariate associations at the p < .10 significance level were included in a multivariate logistic regression model. Additive and interactive effects involving key significant factors were assessed through logistic regression to evaluate potential syndemic-focused associations. Results A total of 141 gbMSM (Mean age = 37.9, white = 63.1%) completed the e-survey. Hazardous/harmful drinking (31.9%), moderate/high risk substance use (43.3%), and depression (23.7%) were common; and one in five participants (19.9%) reported PrEP nonadherence. Increasing alcohol use level was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of nonadherence (i.e., 15.6, 25.0, and 44.4% of low-risk, hazardous, and harmful drinkers reported nonadherence, respectively (χ2(1) = 4.79, p = .029)). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that harmful alcohol use (AOR = 6.72, 95%CI = 1.49–30.33, p = .013) and moderate/high risk cocaine use (AOR = 3.11, 95%CI = 1.01–9.59, p = .049) independently predicted nonadherence. Furthermore, an additive association emerged, wherein the likelihood of PrEP nonadherence was highest among those who were hazardous/harmful drinkers and moderate/high risk cocaine users (OR = 2.25, 95%CI = 1.19–4.25, p = .013). Depression was not associated with nonadherence. Conclusions Findings highlight the need to integrate alcohol- and substance-focused initiatives into PrEP care for gbMSM. Such initiatives, in turn, may help improve PrEP adherence and reduce the potential for HIV acquisition among this group.

scholarly journals Does providing a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol use to people seeking online help for depression reduce both alcohol use and depression symptoms among participants with these co-occurring disorders? Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e022412 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A Cunningham ◽  
Christian S Hendershot ◽  
Frances Kay-Lambkin ◽  
Clayton Neighbors ◽  
Kathleen M Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Internet Intervention ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Internet Interventions ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

IntroductionHazardous alcohol consumption is common among people experiencing depression, often acting to exacerbate depressive symptoms. While many people with these co-occurring disorders do not seek face-to-face treatment, they do seek help online. There are effective internet interventions that target hazardous alcohol consumption or depression separately but none that combine these online interventions without the involvement of a therapist. In order to realise the potential of internet interventions, we need to develop an evidence base supporting the efficacy of internet interventions for co-occurring depression and hazardous alcohol use without any therapist involvement. This study aims to evaluate the effects on drinking, and on depressive symptoms, of combining an internet intervention targeting hazardous alcohol consumption with one for depression.Methods and analysisA double blinded, parallel group randomised controlled trial will be used. Participants with current depression who also drink in a hazardous fashion (n=986) will be recruited for a study to ‘help improve an online intervention for depression’. Participants will be randomised either to receive an established online intervention for depression (MoodGYM) or to receive MoodGYM plus a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol consumption (Check Your Drinking; CYD). Participants will be contacted 3 and 6 months after receiving the interventions to assess changes in drinking and depression symptoms. It is predicted that participants receiving the CYD intervention in addition to MoodGYM will report greater postintervention reductions in alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms compared with those who received MoodGYM only. Hypothesised mediation and moderation effects will also be investigated. Using an intention-to-treat basis for the analyses, the hypotheses will be tested using a generalised linear hypothesis framework, and longitudinal analyses will use either generalised linear mixed modelling or generalised estimating equation approach where appropriate.Ethics and disseminationThis research comprises the crucial first steps in developing lower-cost and efficacious internet interventions for people suffering from depression who also drink in a hazardous fashion—promoting the widespread availability of care for those in need. This study has been approved by the standing ethics review committee of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and findings will be disseminated in the form of at least one peer-reviewed article and presentations at conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03421080; Pre-results.

scholarly journals Trauma Patients' Desire for Autonomy in Medical Decision Making is Impaired by Smoking and Hazardous Alcohol Consumption – a Bi-national Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Neuner ◽  
A Dizner-Golab ◽  
LM Gentilello ◽  
B Habrat ◽  
E Mayzner-Zawadzka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Medical Decision Making ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
National Study ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

This cross-sectional investigation studied the association between substance use and patients' desire for autonomy in medical decision making (MDM) in two trauma settings. A total of 102 patients (age 42.7 ≤ 17.4 years, 70.6% male) admitted to an orthopaedic service in Warsaw, Poland, and 1009 injured patients (age 34.6 ≤ 12.8 years, 62.3% male) treated in an emergency department in Berlin, Germany, were enrolled. Patients' desire for autonomy in MDM was evaluated with the Decision Making Preference Scale of the Autonomy Preference Index. Substance use (hazardous alcohol consumption and/or tobacco use) and educational level were measured. Linear regression techniques were used to determine the association between substance use and desire for autonomy in MDM. Substance use was found to be independently associated with a reduced desire by the patient for autonomy in medical decision making. No differences in patients' desire for autonomy were observed between the study sites. Empowerment strategies that encourage smokers or patients with hazardous alcohol consumption to participate in MDM may increase the effectiveness of health promotion and injury prevention efforts in this population.

scholarly journals Examining differential item functioning of social interaction and performance fears in people with hazardous alcohol consumption and probable alcohol dependence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Sunderland ◽  
Kamran Afzali ◽  
Miriam K. Forbes ◽  
Lexine Stapinski ◽  
Andrew James Baillie
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Nested Models ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

A growing body of epidemiological evidence has highlighted the significant relationship between social anxiety disorder and hazardous alcohol consumption, harmful use, and alcohol use disorder. This relationship may influence the reporting of fear and avoidance of social or performance situations on common self-report measures among individuals with hazardous alcohol use or dependence. As such, the current study utilised modern psychometric methods, namely Item Response Theory (IRT) and Differential Item Functioning (DIF), in a large online sample of Australian adults (n=1052) to examine the potential under- or over-reporting of items on the Social Interaction Anxiety and Social Phobia Scales (SIAS/SPS) by groups of alcohol users (as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), while controlling for underlying levels of social anxiety severity. The results indicated that there were no items on the SIAS/SPS that exhibited significant (p&lt;0.01) and meaningful DIF (based on an a priori cut-off of change in pseudo-R2 across nested models &gt;0.05) attributable to either hazardous consumption or symptoms of alcohol dependence. Moreover, the combined effect of multiple items that demonstrated significant (but non-meaningful) DIF on total SIAS scores relative to scores that assume no DIF between alcohol using groups was minimal. These results suggest that different rates of social anxiety across levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence may not be the result of a systematic under- or over-reporting of certain items on the SIAS and SPS, and as such total social anxiety scores can be compared and interpreted regardless of the level of alcohol use or dependence symptoms

scholarly journals Bridging the Digital Divide Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex With Men to Reduce Substance Use and HIV Risk: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Hsiang ◽  
Claudine Offer ◽  
Maximo Prescott ◽  
Amy Rodriguez ◽  
Emily Behar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Polysubstance Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minority

BACKGROUND Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a promising data collection tool for mobile health interventions targeting episodic health behaviors. For substance-using men who have sex with men (SUMSM), EMA is becoming more widely utilized in efforts to characterize substance use and sexual risk factors for HIV transmission. However, recent literature demonstrates emerging concerns over compliance and lower EMA engagement and data concordance among racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide a qualitative evaluation of the barriers and facilitators of EMA as a data collection tool among racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. METHODS Between October and November 2017, 45 racial and ethnic minority SUMSM were recruited from a list of prior research participants at the San Francisco Department of Public Health to participate in daily EMA surveys on their substance use and sexual health behaviors for 1 week, followed by in-person focus groups (FGs). A total of 4 FGs explored the participants’ experiences with the surveys, issues regarding privacy and confidentiality, and suggestions for improvement. Qualitative analysis was performed using content analysis. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the associations between demographics or substance use behaviors and EMA completion. RESULTS Overall, 93.9% (295/314) of all delivered surveys were initiated, and of those, 98.0% (289/295) were completed. Neither participant demographics, including race (<i>P</i>=.65) or age (<i>P</i>=.43), nor substance use behaviors, including the frequency of alcohol (<i>P</i>=.40) or methamphetamine (<i>P</i>=.91) use or any cocaine (<i>P</i>=.28), crack (<i>P</i>=.99), or polysubstance use (<i>P</i>=.24), were found to be associated with survey completion. Overall, participants were receptive to the text message–based EMA surveys. Facilitators included survey timing, user-friendly survey design, survey-stimulated self-reflection, coding of sensitive phrases, and other privacy benefits of a mobile survey. Barriers included an inability to correct texting errors and participants’ perception of judgment or stigmatization related to questions about condomless sex. To improve EMA compliance and uptake, participants suggested adding response confirmations, clarifying survey language, and continuing to diversify the study audience. CONCLUSIONS EMA appears to be feasible and acceptable among this sample of racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Close attention to EMA study design and the development of nonjudgmental, contextualized questions regarding stigmatized health behaviors may be critical to further improve EMA compliance.

scholarly journals Bridging the Digital Divide Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex With Men to Reduce Substance Use and HIV Risk: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

10.2196/15282 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e15282
Author(s):  
Elaine Hsiang ◽  
Claudine Offer ◽  
Maximo Prescott ◽  
Amy Rodriguez ◽  
Emily Behar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Polysubstance Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minority

Background Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a promising data collection tool for mobile health interventions targeting episodic health behaviors. For substance-using men who have sex with men (SUMSM), EMA is becoming more widely utilized in efforts to characterize substance use and sexual risk factors for HIV transmission. However, recent literature demonstrates emerging concerns over compliance and lower EMA engagement and data concordance among racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Objective This study aimed to provide a qualitative evaluation of the barriers and facilitators of EMA as a data collection tool among racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Methods Between October and November 2017, 45 racial and ethnic minority SUMSM were recruited from a list of prior research participants at the San Francisco Department of Public Health to participate in daily EMA surveys on their substance use and sexual health behaviors for 1 week, followed by in-person focus groups (FGs). A total of 4 FGs explored the participants’ experiences with the surveys, issues regarding privacy and confidentiality, and suggestions for improvement. Qualitative analysis was performed using content analysis. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the associations between demographics or substance use behaviors and EMA completion. Results Overall, 93.9% (295/314) of all delivered surveys were initiated, and of those, 98.0% (289/295) were completed. Neither participant demographics, including race (P=.65) or age (P=.43), nor substance use behaviors, including the frequency of alcohol (P=.40) or methamphetamine (P=.91) use or any cocaine (P=.28), crack (P=.99), or polysubstance use (P=.24), were found to be associated with survey completion. Overall, participants were receptive to the text message–based EMA surveys. Facilitators included survey timing, user-friendly survey design, survey-stimulated self-reflection, coding of sensitive phrases, and other privacy benefits of a mobile survey. Barriers included an inability to correct texting errors and participants’ perception of judgment or stigmatization related to questions about condomless sex. To improve EMA compliance and uptake, participants suggested adding response confirmations, clarifying survey language, and continuing to diversify the study audience. Conclusions EMA appears to be feasible and acceptable among this sample of racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Close attention to EMA study design and the development of nonjudgmental, contextualized questions regarding stigmatized health behaviors may be critical to further improve EMA compliance.

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