Abstract
BackgroundHIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs (RD) or excessive alcohol (EA) may be involved in risky sexual behaviours, including unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). This study describes the prevalence RD/EA-use among HIV-infected MSM, and compares those who used RD/EA with those who did not.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included HIV-infected MSM who were recruited in a convenient sample from two AIDS-treatment centres and events for HIV-infected MSM in Israel in 2016. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires including RD/EA-use and their sexual behaviours. RD/EA-use was defined as consumption of any psychoactive stimulants or dissociative anaesthetics, or an uptake of alcohol until drunkenness before or during sex.ResultsOf all 276 HIV-infected MSM, 202 (73.2%) used RD/EA. Those who used RD/EA were younger, reported earlier sexual debut, had more sexual partners, were more likely to perform UAI with casual partners, more commonly involved in paid sex, used psychiatric medications and more likely to be unsatisfied with their health-status compared to those who did not use RD/EA. HIV-infected MSM who used RD/EA reported a lower CD4-count and higher viral-load than those who did not. In a multivariate analysis, being younger, reported earlier sexual debut and been prescribed psychiatric drugs were associated with RD/EA-use among HIV-infected MSM.ConclusionsA large proportion of HIV-infected MSM used RD/EA and also engaged in risky sexual behaviours. A subset of HIV-infected MSM can benefit from mental support during their routine treatment at the AIDS treatment centres and should also receive harm reduction intervention by their providers in order to minimize potential risks pertaining to RD/EA-use.
Highlights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs (RD) or excessive alcohol (EA) may be involved in risky sexual behaviours, including unprotected anal intercourse (UAI)
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to use substances such as excessive alcohol (EA) consumption, marijuana or recreational drugs (RD) than the general male population [1, 2]. These substances are often coupled with additional risk behaviours, such as unprotected sex anal intercourse (UAI), multiple sex partners and insufficient certainty in serosorting of sexual partners- all conditions that are set for HIV acquisition or transmission [3, 4]
Chemsex sessions can last hours or days and may involve multiple sexual partners who are often identified using smartphone networking applications [6]. These drugs increase the feelings of euphoria, enhance sexual arousal and eroticism, Mor et al BMC Public Health (2019) 19:1360 which results in restoring libido and intensifying sexual sensation and pleasure [7]
Summary
HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs (RD) or excessive alcohol (EA) may be involved in risky sexual behaviours, including unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to use substances such as excessive alcohol (EA) consumption, marijuana or recreational drugs (RD) than the general male population [1, 2] These substances are often coupled with additional risk behaviours, such as unprotected sex anal intercourse (UAI), multiple sex partners and insufficient certainty in serosorting of sexual partners- all conditions that are set for HIV acquisition or transmission [3, 4]. These drugs increase the feelings of euphoria, enhance sexual arousal and eroticism, Mor et al BMC Public Health (2019) 19:1360 which results in restoring libido and intensifying sexual sensation and pleasure [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
