Abstract
BackgroundNitrite inhalants have become popular as recreational drugs among the homosexual population in some developed countries since the 1980s. These drugs, also called RUSH in China, have become attractive among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) in the past few years. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to understand the knowledge, attitude, and status of nitrite inhalant use among Chinese MSM.MethodsThe study participants were recruited from Tianjin, China between April and August 2012. Information, including demographics, sexual behavior, and RUSH use, was obtained through structured interviewer questionnaires. Blood samples were also collected to identify the status of HIV, HSV, and syphilis infections.ResultsA total of 500 participants were interviewed. Of the participants, 64.0% knew that RUSH could increase sexual pleasure and 38.6% of the participants had used RUSH at least once. The mean duration of RUSH use was 1.5 years. Among the participants who were familiar with RUSH, 60.0% had heard of RUSH for the first time after 2011, 55% received information about RUSH via the internet, and only 42.2% knew the side effects of RUSH. RUSH users were more likely to work in companies (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.65–4.12), live with homosexual partners (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.19–2.92), not live alone (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.29–3.96), smoke cigarettes (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.02–2.17), use alcohol (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.12–2.39), and seek sexual partners on the internet (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.50–4.50).ConclusionsThe impact of RUSH abuse on the expanding HIV epidemic among MSM has been demonstrated in China. Our findings suggest that the communication and awareness of health hazard of recreational drugs should be reinforced in HIV prevention education, especially through new media. Future research is needed to further explore how integrative strategies should be used to reduce the substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors.
Highlights
Nitrite inhalants have become popular as recreational drugs among the homosexual population in some developed countries since the 1980s
The impact of RUSH abuse on the expanding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been demonstrated in China
Our findings suggest that the communication and awareness of health hazard of recreational drugs should be reinforced in HIV prevention education, especially through new media
Summary
Nitrite inhalants have become popular as recreational drugs among the homosexual population in some developed countries since the 1980s These drugs, called RUSH in China, have become attractive among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) in the past few years. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to understand the knowledge, attitude, and status of nitrite inhalant use among Chinese MSM. A cross-sectional study carried out among HIVpositive MSM in Shanghai in 2010 suggested that the risk of HIV transmission increased three times when RUSH was used in unsafe sexual intercourse [22] Another cross-sectional survey conducted among MSM in Beijing in 2012 reported that the HIV prevalence was 9.0% among nitrite inhalants users and 3.3% among non-users [23]. The aim of our current study was to explore the history and prevalence of nitrite inhalant use and to assess the user’s knowledge and attitude about RUSH among the MSM population in Tianjin, China
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