Stimulant Use Among African American and Latino MSM Social Networking Users

Abstract

High stimulant-using and at-risk HIV populations, such as African American and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), are increasingly using social networking technologies. However, no known research has explored associations between stimulant use, sexual risk behaviors, and social networking among these populations. Participants were recruited using the Facebook Connect software application, which narrowed the sample to 118 (primarily African American and Latino MSM) active Facebook users. Participants completed demographic, Internet and social media use, and drug use survey items. Participants reported high rates of cocaine and methamphetamine use (both more than 15% within the past 12 months). More than 70% of participants reported using social networking technologies to meet people, and more than 30% used them to find sexual partners. A multivariate logistic regression showed that (1) participants using social networks to find sexual partners were more likely to have used methamphetamines within the past 12 months and (2) those who were more comfortable talking online compared to face-to-face had over 4 times the odds of methamphetamine use and over 6 times the odds of cocaine use within the past 12 months. Minority MSM who used social networks to meet men and find sexual partners had high risk for stimulant use. Understanding drug use among minority social networking users will provide insights to incorporate these technologies into drug prevention interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Methamphetamine
• cocaine
• African American MSM
• Latino MSM
• social networking technologies

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Harkiran Gil, Navkiran Gil, Justin Thomas, Greg Szekeres, and Thomas Coates for feedback and/or participation related to this study. The authors also thank the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) for their funding of this research (Young, K01MH090884), as well as UCLA CHIPTS and the UCLA AIDS Institute for seed grant funding.