High Rates of Club Drug Use and Risky Sexual Practices Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men in Miami, Florida

Abstract

This study measured use of club drugs among 262 Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited at community venues in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 2001. More than 50% of men used club drugs, and 36% used them in the last 3 months. Lifetime and 3-month rates were: ecstasy (36% and 20%), cocaine (34% and 12%), amyl nitrates (28% and 9%), and crystal methamphetamine (20% and 15%). Thirty-six percent had used two or more drugs (polydrug use) in their lifetime and 20% reported polydrug use in the last 3 months. Club drug users had significantly more sex partners in the last 12 months than nonclub drug users. High rates (35%) of unprotected anal sex in the last 3 months were reported by both groups. Men who reported polydrug use in the last 3 months were significantly more likely than men who used a single club drug to have had sex under the influence of club drugs (83% vs. 57%; X₂ = 7.4, p = 0.006). At the multivariate level, a significant association between preference for use of English and lifetime club drug use emerged. Effective interventions to reduce club drug use and risky sex for Hispanic MSM are needed.

Keywords:

• Hispanic MSM
• club drugs
• risky sex

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. Isabel Fernández

Dr. Fernández is a Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, where she directs the Behavioral Health Promotion Program. Her research interests include HIV prevention, HIV risk behavior, and substance use among understudied populations such as Hispanic men who have sex with men.

G. Stephen Bowen

Dr. Bowen is a Research Professor at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University. His research interests include access to health care and HIV prevention in at-risk urban and rural minority populations.

Leah M. Varga

Ms. Varga is a Senior Research Associate in the Behavioral Health Promotion Program at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University and a doctoral candidate in the University of Miami's Department of Sociology. Ms. Varga was the project director for this study.

Jose B. Collazo

Mr. Collazo was a Senior Research Associate in the Behavioral Health Promotion Program at the University of Miami School of Medicine, where he directed the analytic and data management functions of the program.

Nilda Hernandez

Ms. Hernandez is a Database Technical Specialist in the Behavioral Health Promotion Program at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, where she is responsible for overseeing the program's database and information technology activities.

Tatiana Perrino

Dr. Perrino is a Research Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and was research faculty in the Behavioral Health Promotion Program. Her research interests are in the areas of HIV and drug abuse prevention among urban and rural minority populations.

Alfredo Rehbein

Mr. Rehbein is a Senior Research Associate in the Behavioral Health Promotion Program at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, where he assists research faculty in designing and implementing research protocols.