Regional patterns and correlates of substance use among young men who have sex with men in 7 US urban areas.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to characterize substance use patterns in young men who have sex with men (MSM) in 7 US urban areas and sociodemographic characteristics and history associated with such use.


METHODS
We examined data collected from 1994 through 1998 in a venue-based, cross-sectional survey.


RESULTS
Among the 3492 participants, 66% reported use of illicit drugs; 28%, use of 3 or more drugs; 29%, frequent drug use (once a week or more); and 4%, injection drug use. These practices were more common among participants who were White, self-identified as bisexual or heterosexual, had run away, or had experienced forced sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective drug prevention and treatment programs addressing local drug-use patterns and associated factors are urgently needed for young MSM, a population with a high rate of illicit drug use.
Public Health-Seattle and King County, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. hanne.thiede@metrokc.gov
Hanne
H
Thiede
Linda A
LA
Valleroy
Duncan A
DA
MacKellar
David D
DD
Celentano
Wesley L
WL
Ford
Holly
H
Hagan
Beryl A
BA
Koblin
Marlene
M
LaLota
William
W
McFarland
Douglas A
DA
Shehan
Lucia V
LV
Torian
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*