Gay men who engage in substance use and sexual risk behaviour: a dual-risk group with unique characteristics.
'Recreational' substances used among men having sex with men, and their association with risky unprotected anal intercourse (RUAI) were examined--for the first time in Israel--in an internet-based questionnaire assessing knowledge, practices and motivation. Between March and May 2005, 2873 participants completed the entire questionnaire. Of the total, 669 (23%) reported RUAI during the last six months, and 1319 (46%) used substances during sex. Use of substance was significantly higher among those performing RUAI than those who did not (31.5% versus 26.4%, P=0.03). Involvement in both substance use and RUAI was reported by 366 participants (13%). HIV rates were higher in this dual-risk group (P<0.01), and individuals reported more partners in the last six months than those not part of this dual risk (11.6 versus 8.2, P=0.02). In multivariate analyses, Tel-Aviv residency, lower education, performing receptive RUAI, misperception of HIV transmission and limited negotiation skills were positively associated with this dual-risk behaviour.
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Department of Tuberculosis and AIDS, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel. turkizl@netvision.net.il
Davidovich
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McFarlane
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Feldshtein
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Chemtob
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult