title: Men who have sex with men diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection are significantly more likely to engage in sexualised drug use.
abstract: The sexualised use of recreational drugs (Mephedrone, GBL/GHB, Crystal Meth) generally known as 'chemsex' in men who have sex with men (MSM) is thought to be associated with sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition; however there is little data showing a direct relationship. We reviewed 130 randomly selected cases of MSM with an STI attending our STI service and 130 controls (MSM attending the STI service who did not have an STI) between 5 May 2015 and 2 November 2015. Reported condomless anal sex was significantly higher in cases 90/121 (74%) compared with controls 65/122 (53%); ( χ2= 11.71, p < 0.005, OR 2.54). Recreational drug use in the cases 38/122 (31%) was significantly greater than in controls 20/125 (16%); ( χ2= 7.88, p < 0.005, OR 2.37). This demonstrates a link between STI acquisition and recreational drug use in MSM. Harm reduction initiatives identifying and addressing party drug use can help to improve the sexual health of MSM, including reducing risk-taking behaviours.
authors.affiliation: 1 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Maidstone Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ottaway
authors.affiliation: 2 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Fionnuala
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Finnerty
authors.affiliation: 2 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Aliza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amlani
authors.affiliation: 2 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pinto-Sander
authors.affiliation: 2 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szanyi
authors.affiliation: 3 Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: MSM; drug use; gonorrhoea; high-risk behaviour; sexually transmitted infections