344risky behavior and to recommend an evidence-based approach for behavioral counseling to reduce risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV transmission at CP venues.
Search StrategyFor this literature review, searches were conducted on CINAHL, MedLINE, and PubMed using the following key words: circuit party, men who have sex with men (MSM), club drugs, gay men, unsafe sex, unprotected sex, drug use, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV. Although other medical and psychological comorbidities are associated with gay men, unsafe sex, drug use, and HIV, this search looked only at specific studies that focused primarily on CPs and club drug use and unsafe sex at these events or venues.Searches were restricted to full-text articles that were available on the Internet and focused on MSM, including self-identified gay and bisexual men who used club drugs and attended CPs. The searches resulted in 6 studies that were published between 2001 and 2006. All the articles retrieved R ecent risky sexual behavior trends have accelerated and increased the rate of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among gay men worldwide (Halkitis et al., 2005). This increase may be a result of recreational drug abuse and unprotected sex at circuit parties (CPs). These events, primarily attended by gay and bisexual men, have grown tremendously in the past 10 years. Public health officials and health care providers should become more aware of the risky sexual behaviors and the widespread drug use at CPs ). Efforts should be made to identify the persons at risk and to understand the sexual networks, the types of risk-taking behaviors, and the type of club drugs used at CPs . The purpose of this article is to examine the studies specific to CPs and
Sex and Drugs: High-Risk Behaviors at Circuit PartiesJames John Weidel, MSN, ARNP, BC, Elias Provencio-Vasquez, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP, and Janet Grossman, PhD, PMH-CS, FAAN HIV and other sexually transmitted infection rates are increasing among men who have sex with men. This increase may be attributed to the high rates of drug use and risky sexual behaviors at gay festive events called circuit parties. Although few studies have examined the actual level of risk, the implications from the available studies underscore the need for the development of interventions to address this public health concern. The 5 As approach provides an evidence-based approach to assist in behavior change that may reduce the HIV and sexually transmitted infection rates among gay and bisexual men who attend circuit parties. This article reviews the findings and recommendations from the few available studies on circuit parties and risk behavior. The authors propose that the 5 As approach for behavioral change be adapted by practitioners in the primary care setting.