Pleasure and Risk: A Qualitative Study of Sexual Behaviors Among Chinese Methamphetamine Users

Abstract

In China, the number of methamphetamine (meth) users has increased dramatically in recent years. This issue has caused researchers to consider the association of meth use with public health concerns, such as the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Despite the potential outcomes of meth use, qualitative research has not as yet explored Chinese meth users’ sexual experiences and feelings associated with meth use. To contribute to the literature, this study employed semistructured interviews to collect data from 19 female and 16 male Chinese meth users (mean age = 31) who were predominantly heterosexual and were recruited from seven compulsory drug treatment institutions in Eastern China. Most participants had completed nine or fewer years of education. Gender similarities and differences were observed in the participants’ pursuits of sexual pleasure while using meth. Meth use can enhance the likelihood of high-risk sexual behaviors in both genders and therefore increases the number of public health issues. Men largely dominated the discussion of unprotected sex, while women reported transactional sex in their interviews. Based on research findings, we suggest policymakers strengthen safer-sex educational programs. Policymakers should also enhance prevention methods targeting meth use among women who may engage in transactional sex.

Notes

¹ Because the data of this study were collected in Mandarin Chinese, there exists a translation issue when doing data analysis in this study. Although translators always try to provide accurate and meaningful information from one language to another, translated data cannot be completely identical to the original data due to intrinsic cultural and language differences (Liu, 2011). To minimize the negative influence of translation in this study, we chose to leave translation until the completion of data analysis, namely, at the time of writing this article. Due to the nature of qualitative research, which is highly dependent on subtle and tacit undercurrents behind language use, translating the data before analyses might have resulted in the loss of interesting findings (Liu, 2011). In addition, to ensure the quality of the translation in this article, we employed a bilingual editor who is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English to review the translation.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by the National Social Science Fund of the People’s Republic of China (14CSH059).