Recreational drug use in heterosexual men in a sexual health clinic in East London: the forgotten majority?

Background There is an association between recreational drug use, high-risk sexual activity and sexually transmissible infections. Studies have shown a higher prevalence of drug use in those accessing sexual health services; however, there are minimal data on the proportion with problematic recreational drug use. We aimed to understand whether sexual health clinics could identify problematic drug and alcohol use as a novel referral pathway into treatment services. Methods: Males attending two sexual health clinics in London completed questionnaires. Data were collected on demographics; gender of sexual partner; use of alcohol and recreational drugs; if they felt they had problematic use of drugs, alcohol or both; and if they had sought help for their problematic use. Results: In total, 867 males completed the questionnaire; 387 (44.7%) were men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM had significantly higher lifetime use of any drug compared with non-MSM (80.6% vs. 62.5%; P < 0.0001). Thirty-five (4.7%) self-identified problematic drug or alcohol use, with no difference between MSM and non-MSM (6.3% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.08). Of those with problematic drug or alcohol use, 20 were currently or had been engaged with a treatment service and 15 had never engaged with treatment services. MSM were more likely to have ever sought help for drug or alcohol problems compared with non-MSM (P = 0.003). Conclusions: Some individuals attending sexual health clinics with problematic drug use have not engaged with treatment services. It is therefore appropriate to develop screening tools for sexual health clinics to identify these individuals and novel referral pathways to engage them in treatment services.

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Identifying the Prevalence of Recreational Drug Use in Men Who Have Sex With Men Attending Sexual Health Clinics in Greater Manchester.

10.26226/morressier.5731a408d462b8028d88c9db ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Tomkins

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Recreational Drug ◽

Health Clinics ◽

Recreational Drug Use ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Sexual Health Clinics

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Recreational drug use in men who have sex with men (MSM) attending UK sexual health services is significantly higher than in non-MSM

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-131428 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 90 (1061) ◽

pp. 133-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

L J Hunter ◽

P I Dargan ◽

A Benzie ◽

J A White ◽

D M Wood

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Health Services ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Recreational Drug ◽

Recreational Drug Use ◽

Sex With Men

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Prevalence of STIs, sexual practices and substance use among 2083 sexually active unmarried women in Lebanon

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89258-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sara Abu Zaki ◽

Jihane Naous ◽

Antoine Ghanem ◽

Diana Abou Abbas ◽

Roland Tomb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Condom Use ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Recreational Drug ◽

Inconsistent Condom ◽

Recreational Drug Use ◽

Unwanted Pregnancies ◽

Neisseria Gonorrhea ◽

Inconsistent Condom Use

AbstractAccess to sexual and reproductive health in conservative communities and in the MENA region are particularly limited and, as such, increase women’s vulnerability to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim was to assess the prevalence of STIs, sexual practices, recreational drug-use and their possible associations among cisgender unmarried women residing in Lebanon. Data on demographics, sexual practices and substance-use were collected from 2083 unmarried cisgender women who voluntarily attended a sexual health clinic in Lebanon between 2015 and 2019. They tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis through rapid testing. Other infections (genital warts, Neisseria gonorrhea/Chlamydia trachomatis) were screened for. Regression models were computed between variables. There were two cases of HIV, one of Hepatitis B and syphilis, and no cases of Hepatitis C. Genital warts were present in 15% and symptoms indicative of Neisseria gonorrhea/Chlamydia trachomatis in 14%. Inconsistent condom-use (81%) was significantly associated with number of partners (adj. OR: 0.4). Inconsistent condom-use discussion with partners (33%) was significantly associated with unemployment (adj OR: 1.7), recreational drug-use (adj. OR: 1.4), and number of partners (adj. ORs 3.7–4.4). Unwanted pregnancies (11%) were significantly associated with age (adj. ORs 0.1–0.37), recreational drug-use (adj. OR: 2), using intrauterine device (adj. OR:2.9) and natural birth control methods (adj. OR: 2.4). Recreational drug-use (33%) was significantly associated with age (adj ORs 1.9–2.2), and smoking status (adj. OR: 0.6). The results indicate an urgent need for: (1) Accessible, non-stigmatizing, and inclusive sexual health services dedicated to women’s sexual health; (2) Comprehensive and non-stigmatizing sexual health education for all, but especially women, in order to promote safer sexual practices and effective decision making with regards to contraception and condom-use.

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