Recreational drug use among Chinese men who have sex with men: a risky combination with unprotected sex for acquiring HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of recreational drug use and its relationship with HIV infection among Chinese MSM.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 625 MSM was conducted in Shenyang, China. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on recreational drug use and sexual behaviors. Blood specimens were collected to test for HIV and syphilis antibodies.


RESULTS
Nearly a quarter (23.2%, 145/625) of participants reported ever using recreational drugs, among which alkyl nitrites (poppers) was the most frequently used drug (19.2%), followed by methylmorphine phosphate (5.1%), methamphetamine (4.0%), and ketamine (0.8%). The overall prevalence of HIV and syphilis was 9.6% and 10.4%, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that recreational drug use was significantly correlated with age ≤ 25 year (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.6, 95% CI, 1.1-2.9), single marital status (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI, 1.2-3.6), and seeking male sexual partners mainly through Internet (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.8-2.8). Recreational drug use was independently associated with an increased risk of HIV infection (aOR = 3.5, 95% CI, 2.0-6.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that recreational drug use is popular among Chinese MSM and is associated with significantly increased HIV infection risk. HIV prevention intervention programs should reduce both drug use and risky sexual behaviors in this population.
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Jun-Jie
JJ
Xu
Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA ; Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Han-Zhu
HZ
Qian
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Zhen-Xing
ZX
Chu
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Jing
J
Zhang
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Qing-Hai
QH
Hu
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Yong-Jun
YJ
Jiang
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Wen-Qing
WQ
Geng
Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
Christiana Meng
CM
Zhang
Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
Hong
H
Shang
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D013287:Illicit Drugs