HIV risk behaviours among gay men who use anabolic steroids.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the injecting and sexual risk behaviours of gay men in London who use anabolic steroids or other fitness-enhancing substances (referred to as AS).


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
Five gyms in central London.


METHODS
1004 gay men using the gyms during September-October 1997.


METHODS
Proportion of men who report (i) injecting AS, (ii) sharing needles and (iii) HIV status-unknown unprotected and intercourse (UAI).


RESULTS
Of 1004 men, 136 (13.5%) were current users of AS (range across the five gyms, 2.7-21.2%, p < 0.001), and 81 (8.1%) injected AS (range 0.4-17.5%, p < 0.001). None said they shared a needle with other users and more than 90% said they always used disposable units from sealed packets. Among current AS users, 20.9% (28/136) reported status-unknown UAI compared with 12.9% (107/827) of never-users (p = 0.02), a differential which remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio = 1.75, 95% CI 1.05, 2.91, p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
While nearly one in 10 gay men in this study injected anabolic steroids or other fitness-enhancing substances, none reported sharing needles. Steroid users were, however, more likely to report status-unknown UAI than other men, a differential that remained after adjusting for confounding factors. Since any change in injecting practice could dramatically increase the risk of HIV transmission in this population, behavioural surveillance to monitor risk behaviours among gay men using anabolic steroids is recommended, as are targeted HIV prevention programmes.
Bolding
G
G
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, UK.
Sherr
L
L
Maguire
M
M
Elford
J
J
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D045930:Anabolic Agents