Predictors of frequent use of amphetamine type stimulants among HIV-negative gay men in Sydney, Australia.
BACKGROUND
Rates of use of amphetamine type stimulants among gay men have raised questions about the role of these drugs in increases in HIV infections and risk behaviour, but the role risk behaviours play with regard to illicit drug use within this population has not been investigated.


METHODS
Health in men (HIM) is a cohort of 1427 HIV-negative men in Sydney, Australia. All participants undergo annual face-to-face interviews. We examined onset of use of methamphetamine and of ecstasy (MDMA) after their baseline interview.


RESULTS
Among baseline non-frequent users who completed an annual follow-up interview, 67 commenced at least weekly use of ecstasy, while 71 commenced at least weekly use of methamphetamine. Factors independently associated with commencing more frequent use of these drugs included being younger, greater involvement in gay social life, and having engaged in unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners.


CONCLUSIONS
The transition from non- or less-frequent drug use to more frequent drug use may be associated with changes in sexual behaviour. While it may be true that illicit drug use leads to unsafe sexual behaviour, it is equally true that illicit drugs are used to enhance sexual performance and pleasure. The relationship is bidirectional and complex and must be understood within the contexts of particular sexual sub-cultural practices: engaging in sexual risk behaviour may be an indicator of future drug use as much as the reverse.
Prestage
Garrett
G
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. gprestage@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
Degenhardt
Louisa
L
Jin
Fengyi
F
Grulich
Andrew
A
Imrie
John
J
Kaldor
John
J
Kippax
Susan
S
D000662:Amphetamines; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000662:Amphetamines; D006213:Hallucinogens