Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the prevalence of poppers use and its relationship with sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwestern China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities of southwestern China between July and September 2016. Anonymous questionnaire survey was administered to collect data on demographics, drug use, sexual behaviors, history of STIs and HIV infection. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors correlated with sexual risk behaviors including group sex and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI).ResultsOf the 1122 participants included in the study, 24.1% reported a history of poppers use. 11.6% MSM reported ever engaging in group sex and 36.2% participants reported UAI with non-regular male partners in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age > 25 (OR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.87–4.68), seeking sex partners through the internet (OR = 3.16, 95% CI 1.59–6.29), preferring receptive anal intercourse (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.12–3.26) and ever using poppers (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.25–2.83) were positively associated with engaging in group sex. Lower levels of education (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.33–2.80) and ever using poppers (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.01–2.05) were significantly correlated with UAI with non-regular partners.ConclusionsThe study suggested poppers was prevalent among MSM and its use was significantly associated with sexual risk behaviors. Given high prevalence of HIV among this subpopulation, comprehensive measures are needed to decrease poppers use and its potential risk for HIV transmission in southwestern China.
Highlights
To investigate the prevalence of poppers use and its relationship with sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwestern China
Differing from injection drug use, which places users at a greater risk for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through sharing syringes, recreational drug users are at a higher risk for HIV acquisition that results from risky sexual behaviors, such as having more casual or commercial sex partners, unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and engaging in group sex [5,6,7]
128 (11.6%) MSM reported ever engaging in group sex and more than one-third (36.2%) reported having UAI with non-regular partners in the past 12 months. 142 (12.7%) MSM reported being HIV-positive and 149 (13.3%) MSM reported a history of Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Summary
To investigate the prevalence of poppers use and its relationship with sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwestern China. Recreational drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been a worldwide public health concern in the past decades [1,2,3,4]. Prior studies from western countries reported that methamphetamine or ecstasy were the most commonly used drugs among MSM [8, 9], which was consistent with findings in earlier years of China [10, 11]. Several studies with large sample size approached the issue of drug use and found poppers (amyl nitrites) had outweighed methamphetamine or ecstasy and become the most popular recreational drug among MSM in coastal metropolises of China [12,13,14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
