title: Amphetamine-type stimulant use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam: Results from a socio-ecological, community-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amphetamine-type-stimulants (ATS) use is associated with HIV-related sexual risk behaviours and is an emergent problem among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam. The purpose of this study is to describe ATS use patterns and understand the correlates of recent methamphetamine use from a socio-ecological perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September through December, 2014, 622 MSM were recruited in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We collected information on demographic characteristics, HIV testing behaviours, use of ATS and other recreational drugs (ever and recently), sexual sensation seeking, depressive mood, experienced and internalized stigma related to homosexuality, social involvement with other MSM, and perceptions of ATS use in MSM networks. We performed descriptive statistics to describe ATS use patterns and multivariate logistic regression to establish independent correlates of recent methamphetamine use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly one-third (30.4%) had ever used ATS, including 23.6% who had used methamphetamine, 4.3% who had used amphetamine ('speed') and 20.9% who had used ecstasy. 20.1% and 11.9% had ever used methamphetamine and ecstasy, respectively, during sex. Eighteen percent of methamphetamine users were classified as engaged in high-risk use. Recent methamphetamine use (in the last 3 months) was associated with participants perceiving more methamphetamine use in their MSM network, recent sex work, and higher sexual sensation seeking scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ATS use is relatively prevalent among MSM sampled in Vietnam's main cities. Interventions to address methamphetamine are warranted for MSM in Vietnam. Methamphetamine treatments are needed for high-risk users.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2032, NSW, Australia; Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, No. 1 Ton That Tung Street, HaNoi, Vietnam. Electronic address: nga.vu@student.unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nga Thi Thu
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Vu
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2032, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.affiliation: Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, 135/3 Nui Truc Street, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Huong Thi Thu
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, No. 1 Ton That Tung Street, HaNoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Huong Thi
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Hanoi Centre of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Khu Hanh Chinh Moi, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Lan Thi
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: La
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Health Promotion, Suite 117-120, Block B17, Kim Lien Diplomatic Compound, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Gioi Minh
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Health Promotion, Suite 117-120, Block B17, Kim Lien Diplomatic Compound, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Tung Thanh
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Doan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Promotion of Quality of Life, 140, Street No. 7, Trung Son Area, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Trang Nhu Nguyen
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2032, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: j.dewit@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Wit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Amphetamine-type stimulants; Correlates; Men who have sex with men; Prevalence; Socio-ecological perspective; Vietnam