Club drug use and associated high‐risk sexual behaviour in six provinces in China

Abstract

Aim To investigate the characteristics of the different club drugs and associated high-risk sexual behaviours in China. Design Multicentre cross-sectional study. Setting Drug Detoxification and Rehabilitation Centres in six provinces, China. Participants A total of 1434 eligible club drug users were included. Measurements Participants were investigated by trained interviewers using a self-designed structured questionnaire to collect information on club drug use and associated behaviours. Findings Methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug in participants (73.92%), who used it in their or their friends' homes by non-injection for the purpose of feeling euphoria. Among participants with sexual behaviours after club drug use, 75.21% reported having engaged in sex with multiple partners after club drug use during the past year and 79.84% had unprotected sex after using club drug during the past year. A two-level logistic model showed that male gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.17-12.5], unmarried (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.04-2.79), long duration of club drug use during their lifetime (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.28-2.42) and severe acute intoxication after using club drugs during the past year (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.07-4.15) were independent risk factors of multiple sex partners during the past year. Another two-level model showed that the club drug users who were female (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.03-3.11) and had polydrug use during their lifetime (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.01-2.34) had more risk for unprotected sex during the past year than without these characteristics. Conclusion High-risk sexual behaviours are common among club drug users in China. The prevention and intervention of club drug use could decrease the risk of sexual behaviours which further prevent HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections in China.

Dual Epidemics of Drug Use and Syphilis Among Chinese Female Sex Workers: Results of Eight Consecutive Cross-Sectional Surveys from 2006 to 2013 in Qingdao, China

“…New types of drug are addictive stimulants that affect the central nervous system and can compromise judgment, increasing the likelihood that people engage in unsafe behaviors [25]. Many studies have demonstrated an association between new type drug use and risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse and group sex with multiple partners [26][27][28][29]. New club drug use has Table 4 continued been considered the ''second'' epidemic or ''intertwined'' with the HIV epidemic [30][31][32].…”

Poppers use and risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China

“…Alcohol and recreational drug use may lead to sexual risk-taking behaviors (Jia et al, 2010; Li et al, 2012; Santos et al, 2013). There are two types of illicit drugs in Chinese market, which are associated with HIV infection in different mechanisms: (1) use of the traditional drugs of heroin and opium is associated with HIV risk mainly among injection drug users; and (2) use of recreational drugs or club drugs, which are commonly used for the purpose of increasing euphoria at social venues such as clubs, “raves”, and dance parties (Mansergh et al, 2001; Mattison et al, 2001), may increase HIV risk through increasing unprotected sex and/or number of sexual partners (Bao et al, 2015; Jerome et al, 2009; Yu et al, 2015). …”

Towards ending HIV/AIDS among drug users in China

“…A survey conducted among club drug users in six provinces showed that methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug (73.9%) through non‐injection routes. Of particular concern, in the past year 75.2% of users reported ever engaging in sex with multiple partners and 79.8% reported having unprotected sex after using club drugs . Users of both genders reported being more likely to engage in sexual risk behavior after using club drugs, although men were more likely to have sex with multiple sex partners, while women were more likely to engage in unprotected sex .…”

“…Of particular concern, in the past year 75.2% of users reported ever engaging in sex with multiple partners and 79.8% reported having unprotected sex after using club drugs . Users of both genders reported being more likely to engage in sexual risk behavior after using club drugs, although men were more likely to have sex with multiple sex partners, while women were more likely to engage in unprotected sex . High‐risk sexual behaviors associated with club drug use have increased the risk of sexual transmission of HIV among this group.…”

“…Secondly, the sexual transmission of HIV among drug users is now considerable, particularly with the rapid increase in club drug use and highly prevalent alcohol use . However, the contribution of these forms of drug use to additional cases of sexual transmission among this population is not yet understood.…”