Sexual Risk Reduction Among HIV-Positive Drug-Using Men Who Have Sex With Men

Residential Status as a Risk Factor for Drug Use and HIV Risk Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…In order to examine the relationship between residence status, stability, and more serious forms of illicit drug use, we chose to exclude alcohol and marijuana from our analyses given that both of substances are readily available and commonly used within the general population of adolescents and young adults. In addition, we chose to examine recent use of a subset of drugs called "club drugs" given that club drug use appears to be highly associated with HIV risk-related sexual behaviors (Halkitis et al, 2001;Koblin et al, 2003;Reback, 1997;Reback et al, 2004;Stall and Ostrow, 1989;Thiede et al, 2003;Weber et al, 2003), and thus is believed to be fueling recent waves of HIV infection among MSM (Eichenthal, 2001;Guss, 2000;Halkitis et al, 2005;Halkitis et al, 2001;Halkitis et al, 2003;Patterson and Semple, 2003;Reback et al;. For the purpose of this study, club drugs were defined to include: cocaine, crystal/methamphetamine, ecstasy, poppers, GHB, Ketamine, and "other forms of speed.…”

Club Drug Use in Los Angeles Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…Generally speaking, club drugs refer to a category of drugs that are commonly used at clubs, raves, or dance parties, including cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, GHB, and Ketamine. Club drugs in general, but stimulants in particular, are believed to be responsible for the increased prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported among MSM since the late-1990s (Eichenthal, 2001;Guss, 2000;Halkitis, Fischgrund, & Parsons, 2005;Halkitis et al, 2001;Halkitis, Parsons, & Wilton, 2003;Patterson & Semple, 2003;Reback et al, 2004). Methamphetamine, one of the most commonly used club drugs (Finnerty, 2003) has been found to put MSM at increased risk for engaging in HIV risk-related sexual behaviors and infection (Stall et al, 2001;Eichenthal, 2001).…”

“…Methamphetamine, one of the most commonly used club drugs (Finnerty, 2003) has been found to put MSM at increased risk for engaging in HIV risk-related sexual behaviors and infection (Stall et al, 2001;Eichenthal, 2001). Methamphetamine is believed to encourage risky sexual behaviors by intensifying and prolonging sexual encounters, increasing the subjective pleasure of sex (Guss, 2000;Halkitis et al, 2005;Halkitis et al, 2001;Halkitis et al, 2003;Patterson & Semple, 2003), increasing a sense of euphoria and confidence, and encouraging impulsivity that may in turn lower one's inhibition to engage in unprotected sex (Halkitis et al, 2003;Kurtz, 2005;Purcell, Ibanez, & Schwartz, 2005). Despite rising concerns about club drug use among MSM, little is known about YMSM's use of these drugs.…”

HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Inject Drugs in San Francisco

“…11 Other studies have shown that gay-identified MSM have a higher prevalence of HIV than MSM who identify as bisexual and heterosexual. 12 Many studies have linked amphetamine and methamphetamine use to high-risk HIV behaviors among MSM, 13 but relatively little is known about other types of drugs injected by MSM-IDU such as heroin and cocaine. Understanding the confluence of sexual identity, HIV risk behavior, and HIV prevalence among MSM-IDU is critical to shape and focus HIV prevention interventions for MSM-IDU populations.…”

“…It is equally important to assess whether HIV-positive MSM-IDU are accessing and utilizing available services to manage HIV and help prevent further transmission. 13 This study analyzes data collected from 357 MSM-IDU in San Francisco between 1998 and 2002, to examine whether and how risk behaviors may differ by HIV serostatus and self-identified sexual orientation. The extent of service utilization among HIV-positive MSM-IDU is also examined.…”