HIV-associated medical, behavioral, and psychiatric characteristics of treatment-seeking, methamphetamine-dependent men who have sex with men.
This paper examines medical and psychiatric symptoms and disorders associated with reported HIV serostatus among methamphetamine-dependent, treatment-seeking men who have sex with men (MSM) in Los Angeles. Baseline data from a NIDA-funded, randomized clinical trial of behavioral drug abuse therapies included medical examinations and behavioral interviews of the 162 randomized participants. Variables identified as significantly associated with HIV infection were entered into a multivariate, hierarchical logistic regression analysis to optimally predict HIV serostatus. The disturbingly high 61% of the sample with reported HIV-seropositive status represents 3-4 times the prevalence for all MSM in Los Angeles County. HIV infection status strongly associated with prior treatment for methamphetamine dependence; unprotected receptive anal intercourse; history of sexually transmitted infections; and health insurance status. Findings demonstrate the powerful connection between methamphetamine dependence and HIV infection, and strongly suggest a need for development of interventions that function as both substance abuse treatment and HIV prevention for this population.
Peck
James A
JA
Friends Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA. jpeck@mednet.ucla.edu
Shoptaw
Steven
S
Rotheram-Fuller
Erin
E
Reback
Cathy J
CJ
Bierman
Bernard
B
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D008694:Methamphetamine