MDMA ("Ecstasy") abuse and high-risk sexual behaviors among 169 gay and bisexual men.
OBJECTIVE
The authors explored the association between abuse of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or "Ecstasy") and high-risk sexual behaviors among gay and bisexual men.


METHODS
An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 169 gay and bisexual men at three New York City dance clubs. The questionnaire covered demographic indices, use of MDMA and other drugs, and history of high-risk sexual behaviors.


RESULTS
About one-third of the respondents reported MDMA use at least monthly. MDMA use was strongly and significantly associated with a history of recent unprotected anal intercourse. This association remained equally strong even after controlling for age, ethnicity, and all other forms of drug use, including alcohol.


CONCLUSIONS
MDMA abuse, and its strong association with high-risk sexual behaviors, appears to represent important unexplored public health problems among some gay or bisexual men.
Klitzman
R L
RL
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Sciences, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Pope
H G
HG
Hudson
J I
JI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine