Sexual risk, substance use, and psychological distress in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men who also inject drugs.
OBJECTIVE
Gay and bisexual men and injection drug users (IDU) are the two main groups at risk of HIV exposure in the United States, but few studies have focused on the intersection of these two groups. Little is known about HIV-positive gay and bisexual IDU. The aim of this study is to identify and compare differences in HIV transmission risk behaviors and psychological distress in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men by injection versus non-injection drug use.


METHODS
Data were from the baseline assessment of a randomized controlled trial of an HIV prevention intervention for HIV-positive gay and bisexual men.


RESULTS
Of the 1168 men, 236 (20%) reported injection drug use, 500 (43%) reported only non-injection drug use, and 422 (36%) reported no drug use. More of the IDU reported having sex with women, and identified themselves as "barebackers" (i.e. men who intentionally have unprotected anal intercourse). IDU reported more unprotected sexual behaviors than men who did not use drugs, but their sexual risk behaviors were similar to those of men who used non-injection drugs. IDU, compared with other drug users, reported more use of non-injected methamphetamine, amphetamine, barbiturates, and gamma hydroxybutyrate. More IDU, compared with the other two groups, reported sexual abuse, anxiety, and hostility.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-positive gay and bisexual IDU are a distinct group from other HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. Prevention case management and interventions that help men cope with multiple health concerns and prevent HIV transmission are needed for this population.
Ibañez
Gladys E
GE
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-37, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gbi2@cdc.gov
Purcell
David W
DW
Stall
Ron
R
Parsons
Jeffrey T
JT
Gómez
Cynthia A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001727:Bisexuality; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*