Sexualized drug use, risky sexual behaviors, and prevention strategies among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Abstract

Aims

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of sexualized drug use (SDU) and determine its association with a comprehensive set of sociodemographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors, prevention measures for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), and STI diagnosis in Spain.

Methods

The sample consisted of 493 men who have sex with men between 18 and 78 years old (M age = 32.58, SD = 11.05).

Findings

Approximately 37.9% of the participants had participated in SDU. Participants who practiced SDU were significantly more likely to be older and have more casual sexual partners and engage in less conventional sexual practices than those who did not. In addition, SDU was associated with less consistent condom use and greater use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to participants who did not practice SDU. Finally, the STI diagnosis was also significantly related to SDU. However, when condom use and PrEP was included and controlled in the model along with STI diagnosis, SDU was no longer related to a higher likelihood of STI diagnosis.

Conclusions

These results reveal the need to strengthen programs to foster risk-reduction behaviors and reduce the incidence of health implications associated with SDU.

Keywords:

• Chemsex
• sexualized drug use
• men who have sex with men
• sexual behavior
• public health

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank to the survey participants and various associations and NGOs, such as LGBTIQ + Adhara, Alicante Entiende, Apoyo Positivo, Artegalia Radio, BCN Checkpoint, Comité Ciudadano Antisida de Salamanca, Grupo LGTB de la UGT-PV, and Lambda for participating in the dissemination of the study.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social (Spanish Government) through the program “National Plan on Drugs” in the call for grants for the development of research on addictions, grant number [2020I060].