Crystal Methamphetamine Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Florida

Abstract

Using data collected through venue-based sampling in South Florida from 2004 to 2005 as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, we estimate the prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use and its association with high-risk sexual behaviors among a large and diverse sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) residing in South Florida. We also examine how these associations differ between HIV-positive and HIV-negative men. Bivariate analyses were used to assess the characteristics of study participants and their sexual risk behaviors by drug use and self-reported HIV status group. Of 946 MSM participants in South Florida, 18% reported crystal methamphetamine use in the past 12 months. Regardless of self-reported HIV status, crystal methamphetamine users were more likely to report high-risk sexual behaviors, an increased number of non-main sex partners, and being high on drugs and/or alcohol at last sex act with a non-main partner. Our findings indicate that crystal methamphetamine use is prevalent among the MSM population in South Florida, and this prevalence rate is similar, if not higher, than that found in US cities that have been long recognized for having a high rate of crystal methamphetamine use among their MSM populations. Notably, the use of crystal methamphetamine among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM is associated with increased HIV-related risk behaviors.

Predictors of crystal methamphetamine use in a community-based sample of UK men who have sex with men

“…While Bonell and colleagues (2010) examined number of male sex partners, we were able to deconstruct non-steady and steady male partners. These findings update, extend and mirror previous evidence from South Florida, USA on the association between reporting any non-steady sex partners and crystal meth use (Forrest et al, 2010), and demonstrate that these relationships persist even in multivariate models. This relationship is important because pathways to sexual risk may be different by perceived intimacy with partner (Purcell et al, 2014;Zea, Reisen, Poppen, & Bianchi, 2009).…”

Risk and protective factors related to HIV-risk behavior: A comparison between HIV-positive and HIV-negative young men who have sex with men

“…The use of alcohol and drugs has been implicated in acts of unprotected anal sex among both HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM (Barta, Tennen, & Kiene, 2010;Forrest et al, 2010;Hirshfield, Remien, Humberstone, Walavalkar, & Chiasson, 2004;Hurt et al, 2010;Shuper, Joharchi, Irving, & Rehm, 2009;Stall & Purcell, 2000). Moreover, some research indicates that young HIV-positive MSM are more likely to use substances during sex when compared with those who are HIV-negative (Harawa et al, 2004;Hein et al, 1995).…”

Social norms related to combining drugs and sex (“chemsex”) among gay men in South London

“…This was attributed to a "nothing left to lose" attitude. While HIV-positive men have been reported as more likely to use crystal meth and engage in IDU than HIV-negative men (Bonell, Hickson, Weatherburn, & Reid, 2010;Bourne et al, 2014;Carey et al, 2009;Forrest et al, 2010) it is also the case that both are minority behaviours among men with diagnosed HIV.…”