scholarly journals The Effect of Using Geosocial Networking Apps on the HIV Incidence Rate Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Eighteen-Month Prospective Cohort Study in Shenyang, China (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjie Xu ◽  
Huan Yu ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Sequoia I Leuba ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Recreational Drugs ◽  
Hiv Incidence ◽  
The Past ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Group Sex

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) frequently seek partners through mobile apps (geosocial networking [GSN] apps). However, it is unclear whether GSN apps’ use is associated with the increase in HIV incidence among MSM. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of GSN apps’ users and to determine the association and putative mechanisms between GSN apps’ use behavior and HIV incidence. METHODS We conducted an 18-month prospective cohort study of MSM in Shenyang, China, and the participants were surveyed every 3 months from March 2015 to December 2016. An in-person interview collected information on sociodemographics, GSN apps’ use, recreational drug use, and sexual behaviors. In addition, blood was drawn to test for HIV and syphilis. We used a multivariable Cox regression model to determine possible predictors for increased HIV incidence. RESULTS Of the enrolled 686 HIV-negative MSM, 431 (431/686, 62.8%) were GSN apps’ users. Compared with GSN apps’ nonusers, GSN apps’ users were younger; had an earlier age of sexual debut; and in the past 3 months, were more likely to have used recreational drugs, more likely to have had 5 or more casual partners (CPs), more likely to have had group sex with males, and more likely to have had condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with male steady partners (SPs). In addition, 59.4% (256/431) of the GSN apps’ users were willing to accept HIV and AIDS prevention information push services through GSN apps. In total, 19 MSM seroconverted to HIV during the follow-up period; the HIV incidence density rate was 8.5 (95% CI 5.0-13.5) per 100 person-years (PY) among GSN apps’ users and 2.0 (95% CI 0.4-5.8) per 100 PY among nonusers. New HIV infections were independently associated with ever using GSN apps to seek male sexual partners (P=.04) and in the past 3 months, using recreational drugs (P=.048), having group sex with males (P=.01), and having CAI with male CPs (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS GSN apps’ use is associated with higher HIV incidence and may be mediated through recreational drug use and having multiple CPs. Researchers must develop an intervention propagated through GSN apps to reach this high-risk population to mitigate the HIV epidemic in the MSM community.

Sex, drugs, and genes: Illuminating the moral condemnation of recreational drugs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Karinen ◽  
Laura Wesseldijk ◽  
Patrick Jern ◽  
Joshua M. Tybur
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Recreational Drugs ◽  
Disgust Sensitivity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sexual Disgust ◽  
Moral Condemnation

Over the past decade, evolutionary psychologists have proposed that many moral stances function to promote self-interests, and behavioral geneticists have demonstrated that many moral stances have genetic bases. We integrate these perspectives by examining how moral condemnation of recreational drug use relates to sexual strategy (i.e., being more versus less open to sex outside of a committed relationship) in a sample of Finnish twins and siblings (N = 8,118). Twin modeling suggested that genetic factors accounted for 53%, 46%, and 41% of the variance in drug condemnation, sociosexuality, and sexual disgust sensitivity, respectively. Further, approximately 75% of the phenotypic covariance between drug condemnation and sexual strategy was accounted for by genes, and there was substantial overlap in the genetic effects underlying both drug condemnation and sexual strategy (rg = .41). Results suggest that some moral sentiments are calibrated to promote strategic sexual interests, which arise partially via genetic factors.

scholarly journals Sex, Drugs, and Genes: Illuminating the Moral Condemnation of Recreational Drugs

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762199735
Author(s):  
Annika K. Karinen ◽  
Laura W. Wesseldijk ◽  
Patrick Jern ◽  
Joshua M. Tybur
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Recreational Drugs ◽  
Disgust Sensitivity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sexual Disgust ◽  
Moral Condemnation

Over the past decade, evolutionary psychologists have proposed that many moral stances function to promote self-interests. At the same time, behavioral geneticists have demonstrated that many moral stances have genetic bases. We integrated these perspectives by examining how moral condemnation of recreational drug use relates to sexual strategy (i.e., being more vs. less open to sex outside of a committed relationship) in a sample of Finnish twins and siblings ( N = 8,118). Twin modeling suggested that genetic factors accounted for 53%, 46%, and 41% of the variance in drug condemnation, sociosexuality, and sexual-disgust sensitivity, respectively. Further, approximately 75% of the phenotypic covariance between drug condemnation and sexual strategy was accounted for by genes, and there was substantial overlap in the genetic effects underlying both drug condemnation and sexual strategy ( rg = .41). Results are consistent with the proposal that some moral sentiments are calibrated to promote strategic sexual interests, which arise partially via genetic factors.

Recreational drugs and STI diagnoses among patients attending an STI/HIV reference clinic in Rome, Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (8) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Latini ◽  
Maria Gabriella Dona' ◽  
Lavinia Alei ◽  
Manuela Colafigli ◽  
Mirko Frasca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Hydroxybutyric Acid ◽  
Reference Centre ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Group Sex

BackgroundAn observational study was conducted to assess recreational drug use in association with recent STIs among clients of an STI/HIV reference centre in Rome, Italy.MethodsAttendees self-compiled a questionnaire concerning sexual behaviours and drug use, including the nine drugs used for sex (amphetamines, poppers, cocaine, ketamine, erectile dysfunction agent (EDA), steroids and the three chemsex drugs, ie, chems: γ-hydroxybutyric acid/γ-butyrolactone, crystal and Mcat).ResultsOverall, 703 patients participated, with men who have sex with men (MSM) accounting for 50.4% of the total and 73.2% of HIV-positive patients. Apart from condylomatosis, whose prevalence was higher among females (38.8%) and non-MSM (45.8%) than MSM (14.4%), STIs were more frequent among MSM, particularly syphilis (14.1%), gonorrhoea (4.8%), urethritis (3.4%) and hepatitis A (6.5%). Recreational drug use was significantly more frequent among MSM (39.8% vs 17.6% in females and 22.7% in non-MSM). A total of 26.3% of MSM used at least one of the nine drugs and 5.1% at least one of the three chems. Cocaine (13.3%) and poppers (13.0%) were the most used sex drugs in MSM.The use of any of the nine drugs was associated with being MSM (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.94, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.58), sex with partner contacted online (1.99, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.45), group sex (4.08, 95% CI 2.40 to 6.93) and STI in the last year (1.65, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.61). Use of any of the nine chems among MSM was associated with condomless sex (2.24, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.14), group sex (2.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.31) and STI diagnosis in the last year (4.08, 95% CI 2.32 to 7.19).ConclusionsOur data suggest that recreational drug use is quite common among MSM in Italy. No evidence of association with STI was found among non-MSM and females, where only cannabis and cocaine use was reported. The use of chems is still limited, but cocaine, poppers and EDA are widely used among MSM. Recreational drug use appears associated with high-risk sexual behaviours and a higher risk of STI.

scholarly journals Recreational Drug use and Risk of HIV Infection Among Young Men Who Have Sex with men: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tianjin, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changping Li ◽  
Zeyang Yu ◽  
Yang Chen ◽  
Honglu Zhang ◽  
Huijie Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Recreational Drugs ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sex With Men

Abstract Background- Recreational drug use among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) was a public health issue of worldwide concern. Evidence had shown the relevance between recreational drug use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This study aimed to investigate the current prevalence state of recreational drug use among YMSM in Tianjin, discern the characteristics of YMSM who used recreational drugs or not and examine the interaction effect of recreational drug use and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) on HIV infection.Methods- In 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Tianjin, China. The snowball sampling method was used to recruit YMSM. Participants were recruited from gay bars, gay bathhouses, social network sites (WeChat, QQ, gay chat website), gay apps and peer referrals. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data.Results- A total of 1075 YMSM met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study eventually. The overall HIV prevalence was 4.3% (46/1075). Of all the recreational drugs involved in this study (rush poppers, methamphetamine, capsule No.0), rush poppers (406/517,78.5%) were the most popular among YMSM in Tianjin. Compared with non-drug users, drug users were more likely to have first sex earlier, be bisexual, be male sex worker (MSW), have a higher education level, seek sex partners through physical venues, engage in UAI, have sexually transmitted infection (STI), and receive HIV testing. Moreover, recreational drug use and UAI were associated with the increased risk of HIV infection [adjusted OR:3.6 (95%CI: 1.7-7.6) and 4.9 (95%CI: 2.2-10.4), respectively]. There was additive interaction of recreational drug use and UAI on HIV infection [relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI): 6.949 (95%CI: 0.011‐13.887); attributable proportion due to interaction (AP): 0.809 (95%CI: 0.578‐1.039)].Conclusions- Recreational drug use was common and correlated with HIV infection among YMSM in Tianjin. There was an urgent need to build novel targeted HIV prevention strategies to discern and reduce recreational drug use among YMSM in China.

Does the Presence of On-Site Medical Services at Outdoor Music Festivals Affect Attendees’ Planned Alcohol and Recreational Drug Use?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Alison Hutton ◽  
Matthew Brendan Munn ◽  
Sydney White ◽  
Peter Kara ◽  
Jamie Ranse
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Recreational Drugs ◽  
Mandatory Requirement ◽  
Recreational Drug Use

Abstract Background: Dedicated on-site medical services have long been recommended to improve health outcomes at mass-gathering events (MGEs). In many countries, they are being reviewed as a mandatory requirement. While it is known that perceptions of risk shape substance use plans amongst outdoor music festival (OMF) attendees, it is unclear if attendees perceive the presence of on-site medical services as a part of the safety net. The aim of this paper is to better understand whether attendees’ perceptions of on-site medical services influence high-risk behaviors like alcohol and recreational drug use at OMFs. Method: A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of attendees entering and attending two separate 20,000-person OMFs; one in Canada (Festival A) and one in New Zealand (Festival B). Responses focused on demographics, planned alcohol and recreational drug use, perceptions of medical services, and whether the absence of medical services would impact attendees’ planned substance use. Results: A total of 851 (587 and 264 attendees for Festival A and Festival B, respectively) attendees consented and participated. Gender distribution was equal and average ages were 23 to 25. At Festival A, 48% and 89% planned to use alcohol and recreational drugs, respectively, whereas at Festival B, it was 92% and 44%. A great majority were aware and supportive of the presence of medical services at both festivals, and a moderate number considered them a factor in attendance and something they would not attend without. There was significant (>10%) agreement (range 11%-46%; or 2,200-9,200 attendees for a 20,000-person festival) at both festivals that the absence of medical services would affect attendees’ planned use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Conclusions: This study found that attendees surveyed at two geographically and musically distinct OMFs had high but differing rates of planned alcohol and recreational drug use, and that the presence of on-site medical services may impact attendees’ perceptions of substance use risk. Future research will aim to address the limitations of this study to clarify these findings and their implications.

scholarly journals Investigating Conceptual Models for the Relationship Between Depression and Condomless Sex Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who have Sex with Men: Using Structural Equation Modelling to Assess Mediation

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1793-1806
Author(s):  
A. R. Miltz ◽  
◽  
A. J. Rodger ◽  
A. Cozzi Lepri ◽  
J. Sewell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Condomless Sex ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate five hypothesized mechanisms of causation between depression and condomless sex with ≥ 2 partners (CLS2+) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), involving alternative roles of self-efficacy for sexual safety and recreational drug use. Data were from the AURAH cross-sectional study of 1340 GBMSM attending genitourinary medicine clinics in England (2013–2014). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to investigate which conceptual model was more consistent with the data. Twelve percent of men reported depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) and 32% reported CLS2+ in the past 3 months. AURAH data were more consistent with the model in which depression was considered to lead to CLS2+ indirectly via low self-efficacy for sexual safety (indirect Beta = 0.158; p < 0.001) as well as indirectly via higher levels of recreational drug use (indirect Beta = 0.158; p < 0.001). SEM assists in understanding the relationship between depression and CLS among GBMSM.

Syphilis associated with recreational drug use, depression and high-risk sexual behaviour in men who have sex with men: a case–control study in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-272
Author(s):  
Huichao Wu ◽  
Cuizhen Xiu ◽  
Xiaojing Fu ◽  
Menglong Li ◽  
Zhenhong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Syphilis Infection ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Control Study

ObjectiveWe investigated syphilis prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, as well as potential risk factors. Our principal hypothesis was that syphilis would be associated with the use of recreational drugs such as methamphetamines.MethodsFrom April to October 2013, we used several methods to recruit MSM in Qingdao, collecting demographic/behavioural information via self-administrated questionnaires. Trained health workers collected blood for the Treponema pallidum particle assay (TPPA) with positives confirmed by a toluidine red unheated serum test. We used an unmatched case–control study to identify factors that might predict syphilis infection using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsWe recruited 447 MSM who agreed to participate and who completed syphilis testing. Of 71 (15.9%) syphilis-positive MSM, 44 (62.0%) used drugs. Of 376 (84.1%) syphilis-negative MSM, 186 (49.5%) used drugs. We found a positive association with syphilis for any recreational drug use (crude OR (cOR) 1.7, 95 % CI 1.0 to 2.8), frequent methamphetamine use (cOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.3) and multiple drug use (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 9.2). Syphilis-positive men were more likely to have a higher physical depression score (aOR 5.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 24.4), be > 30 years old (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.8), report a prior STI (aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.3 to 7.3) and report a sex party experience (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.4).ConclusionsRecreational drug use, depression and high-risk sexual behaviours were associated with syphilis infection among MSM in China. Only a multifaceted approach is likely be effective in control of both syphilis and HIV .

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