Methamphetamine initiation among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men.
This study describes factors associated with methamphetamine initiation in a racially diverse sample of 340 methamphetamine-using, HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. A factor analysis was conducted on reasons for initiation, and four factors were identified: to party, to cope, for energy, and to improve self-esteem. Methamphetamine to party accounted for more than one-third of the variance in the factor analysis. Methamphetamine to cope captured almost 9% of the variance, methamphetamine for energy accounted for approximately 8% of the variance, and methamphetamine for self-esteem accounted for approximately 7% of the variance. Regression analyses revealed differential associations between methamphetamine-initiation factors and HIV-risk behaviors. Methamphetamine for self-esteem predicted binge methamphetamine use, while methamphetamine to cope was associated with injecting methamphetamine. Using methamphetamine for energy was associated with number of illicit drugs-used and using methamphetamine to party was associated with having a greater number of sexually transmitted infections. These findings suggest that methamphetamine initiation among gay and bisexual men is multifaceted, which could have implications for intervention development.
Nakamura
Nadine
N
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Semple
Shirley J
SJ
Strathdee
Steffanie A
SA
Patterson
Thomas L
TL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
D008694:Methamphetamine