Sex and Drugs: High-Risk Behaviors at Circuit Parties

Abstract

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.

Network Mixing and Network Influences Most Linked to HIV Infection and Risk Behavior in the HIV Epidemic Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…Known risk behaviors associated with HIV infection and that could be “transmitted” through a social network include sex-drug use (SDU) 38 and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Moreover, group sex (GS) has also recently gained increased attention as an important risk practice 39,40 which can complicate network analysis. 41 Important influences and practices such as these, however, have not been previously explored through social network analysis within BMSM despite this population’s position as a group with the highest risk of HIV infection in the United States.…”

Group sex events amongst non-gay drug users: An understudied risk environment

“…Shooting galleries have been widely studied as HIV risk environments for people who inject drugs (Friedman & Aral, 2001; Klein & Levy, 2003; Rhodes, 2002; Rhodes et al, 2005), crack houses as risk environments for unsafe sex and for risk reduction efforts (Inciardi, 1996; Maher, 1997; Ross et al, 1999; Sterk, 1999, 2000; Williams, 1992), brothels for sex workers and others (Deren et al, 1996; Remple et al, 2007), and bathhouses, public cruising areas and circuit parties as environments conducive to drug use and high-risk sex among gay men (Binson et al, 2001; Choi et al, 2004; Ghaziani & Cook, 2005; Grierson, Smith, & von Doussa, 2008; Ostrow & Stall, 2008; Weidel, Provencio-Vasquez, & Grossman, 2008; Wohlfeiler & Potterat, 2005). This article discusses group sex events—defined as events at which some people have sex with more than one partner—as risk environments, with a particular focus on group sex events where people who take heroin, cocaine or crack by non-injection routes of administration take part and where the event is not primarily LGBT-identified, at a classic crack house, nor in a brothel.…”

Relationship Characteristics Differ Based on Use of Substances with Sex among an Urban Internet Sample of HIV-Discordant and HIV-Positive Male Couples

“…3,[20][21][22] Moreover, MSM who attend bathhouses, party-oriented events (e.g., circuit parties), and gay-destination vacations and use the Internet to find sexual partners often report using substances with sex. [26][27][28][29][30][31] Although prior studies have identified a variety of common risk factors of MSM who use substances with sex, few studies have examined substance use with sex among male couples. For instance, one study described partnered MSM as being more likely to report using substances than those without a main partner; substance use was also associated with main partners having had UAS outside of their relationship.…”