Substance use and high-risk sex among men who have sex with men: a national online study in the USA.
This paper describes drug and sexual risk behaviors during a six-month period in 2001 of 2,916 gay and bisexual men who were recruited online. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined correlates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Drug and alcohol use were also examined by US region. UAI was associated with using alcohol or drugs, including poppers, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and Viagra before or during sex. Meeting sex partners both online and offline and having multiple sex partners were also predictive of UAI. Significant regional differences were seen in the prevalence of drug use and alcohol use. Findings are discussed in relation to the need to integrate messages about the relationship between drug use and sexual behavior into HIV prevention programs.
Hirshfield
S
S
Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc., New York, NY 10013, USA. shirshfield@mhra.org
Remien
R H
RH
Humberstone
M
M
Walavalkar
I
I
Chiasson
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex