scholarly journals Recreational drug and excessive alcohol use among HIV-infected men who have sex with men in Central Israel

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohar Mor ◽  
Dan Turner ◽  
Yuval Livnat ◽  
Itzchak Levy

Abstract Background HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs (RD) or excessive alcohol (EA) may be involved in risky sexual behaviours, including unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). This study describes the prevalence RD/EA-use among HIV-infected MSM, and compares those who used RD/EA with those who did not. Methods This cross-sectional study included HIV-infected MSM who were recruited in a convenient sample from two AIDS-treatment centres and events for HIV-infected MSM in Israel in 2016. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires including RD/EA-use and their sexual behaviours. RD/EA-use was defined as consumption of any psychoactive stimulants or dissociative anaesthetics, or an uptake of alcohol until drunkenness before or during sex. Results Of all 276 HIV-infected MSM, 202 (73.2%) used RD/EA. Those who used RD/EA were younger, reported earlier sexual debut, had more sexual partners, were more likely to perform UAI with casual partners, more commonly involved in paid sex, used psychiatric medications and more likely to be unsatisfied with their health-status compared to those who did not use RD/EA. HIV-infected MSM who used RD/EA reported a lower CD4-count and higher viral-load than those who did not. In a multivariate analysis, being younger, reported earlier sexual debut and been prescribed psychiatric drugs were associated with RD/EA-use among HIV-infected MSM. Conclusions A large proportion of HIV-infected MSM used RD/EA and also engaged in risky sexual behaviours. A subset of HIV-infected MSM can benefit from mental support during their routine treatment at the AIDS treatment centres and should also receive harm reduction intervention by their providers in order to minimize potential risks pertaining to RD/EA-use.

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e017598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bera Ulstein Moseng ◽  
Vegar Bjørnshagen

ObjectiveTo describe a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service targeting men who have sex with men (MSM).Design and settingAfter the HIV testing consultation, all users of the HIV testing service were invited to answer the study questionnaire. The study setting included the sites where testing was performed, that is, the testing service’s office in Oslo, cruising areas, bars/clubs and in hotels in other Norwegian cities.ParticipantsMSM users of the testing service.Primary and secondary outcome measuresData were collected on demographics, HIV testing and sexual behaviour as well as the participant’s motivations for choosing to take an HIV test at this low-threshold HIV testing service. The data are stratified by testing site.Results1577 HIV testing consultations were performed, the study sample consisted of 732 MSM users. 11 tested positive for HIV. 21.7% had a non-western background, 27.1% reported having a non-gay sexual orientation. 21.9% had 10 or more male sexual partners during the last year, 27.9% reported also having had a female sexual partner. 56.4% reported having practised unprotected anal intercourse during the last 6 months. 20.1% had never tested for HIV before. Most of these user characteristics varied by testing sites.ConclusionsThe Norwegian low-threshold testing service recruits target groups that are otherwise hard to reach with HIV testing. This may indicate that the testing service contributes to increase HIV testing rates among MSM in Norway.


PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Wu ◽  
Hong Wu ◽  
Pengsheng Li ◽  
Ciyong Lu

Background.Internal migration plays a significant role in China’s HIV epidemic. However, few studies have directly compared migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) with local MSM with regard to HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) risks.Methods.We conducted a study in Guangzhou, China, with the aim of understanding the differences in HIV/STIs risks between migrant MSM and local MSM. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 273 migrant MSM and 249 local MSM in Guangzhou, China. Their behavioral and serologic data on HIV/syphilis were collected and compared between the two groups. A multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between HIV/STIs risks and migratory status.Results.Migrant MSM, compared to local MSM, have higher odds of reporting unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) (OR= 1.4; 95% CI [0.9–2.0]) and having multiple homosexual partners (OR= 1.2; 95% CI [0.8–1.8]). A lower rate of condom use at homosexual debut was reported in migrant MSM than in local MSM (OR= 0.7; 95% CI [0.5–0.9]). Migrant MSM have less odds of reporting HIV/STIs testing in the previous 6 months relative to local MSM (OR= 0.5; 95% CI [0.4–0.8]). In addition, migrant MSM demonstrated a lower level of HIV knowledge than local MSM (OR= 0.4; 95% CI [0.2–0.8]).Conclusion.Migrant MSM are more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors, report a lower level of HIV knowledge and have less access to HIV/STIs testing. Further comprehensive interventions targeting migrant MSM are urged.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Yehua Wang ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Dan Wu ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual sex have been linked to higher sexual risk and STI infection in adulthood among men who have sex with men (MSM) in high-income countries. This study aimed to examine adolescent and non-consensual anal sexual debut among Chinese MSM and to evaluate factors associated with adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual anal sex.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted recently among Chinese men assigned male sex at birth, ≥18 years old, and who had ever engaged in anal sex with a man. Participants answered questions regarding socio-demographics, condomless sex, age at anal sexual debut with a man, and whether the first anal sex was consensual. Factors associated with an adolescent sexual debut (<18 years old) and non-consensual sex at sexual debut were evaluated. We defined adolescent sexual debut as having anal sex with another man at 17 years old or younger, and the participants were asked whether their first male-to-male anal sex was non-consensual.Results: Overall, 2031 eligible men completed the survey. The mean age of sexual debut was 20.7 (SD=4.3) years old. 17.6% (358/2031) of men reported adolescent sexual debut, and 5.0% (101/2031) reported a non-consensual sexual debut. The adolescent sexual debut was associated with having more male sexual partners (adjusted OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.15) and condomless anal sex in the last three months (AOR=1.71, 95% CI 1.34-2.18). MSM whose sexual debut was non-consensual were more likely to have condomless anal sex (AOR=1.76, 95% CI 1.17-2.66), and to have reported an adolescent sexual debut (AOR=2.72, 95% CI 1.75-4.21).Conclusions: Many Chinese MSM reported adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual sex, both of which are associated with sexual risk behaviors and drive STI transmission. These findings highlight the need for designing tailored interventions for MSM who experienced adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual sex at debut.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1146-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Luo ◽  
Zunyou Wu ◽  
Zihuang Chen ◽  
Yue Ma ◽  
Guodong Mi ◽  
...  

Gay dating applications (apps) are popular among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. This study examined the relationship between gay dating app use frequency and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in a sample of MSM in Beijing. In October 2017, a web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM from Beijing, China. Demographics, frequency of app use, and sexual behaviors were collected and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the association between app use frequency and CAI. Of the 9280 participants, the proportion of CAI within one month prior to the survey was 43.3%, and 43.7% logged onto the app ≥11 times per week. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, logging onto the app 6–10 times per week and ≥11 times per week were inversely associated with CAI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.88 [95%CI, 0.78–0.99]; AOR = 0.88 [95%CI, 0.82–0.97], respectively). Among those 40 years of age or older, logging onto the app ≥11 times per week was associated with lower rates of CAI (AOR = 0.57 [95%CI, 0.40–0.81]). Results indicate that frequent app use was associated with lower odds of CAI among MSM in Beijing, China. Innovative interventions, which take advantage of this popular media platform, should be developed as such apps have been found to reduce the odds of CAI in Beijing.


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