 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Jeffrey T. Parsons, PhD, Psychology Department, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 212-772-5533, jeffrey.parsons@hunter.cuny.edu and Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, Dept of Applied Psychology, NYU, 239 Greene Street, Room 537G, New York, NY 10003.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between sexual risk behaviors and the use of club drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, GHB) among gay/bisexual men. METHODS: Data were collected from three studies conducted in New York City: 1) a longitudinal study of club drug using gay/bisexual men; 2) a cross-sectional study of gay/bisexual men recruited from large community events; and 3) a cross-sectional study of gay/bisexual male youth. In each study, self-report measures of club drug use and risky sex behavior were collected. RESULTS: Across studies, there was a significant relationship between increased club drug use and increased sexual risk practices. This relationship was true regardless of HIV status. Qualitative interviews, however, revealed more explicit use of club drugs to facilitate sexual activity and to escape feelings of responsibility to protect partners among HIV+ participants. Differences were found across racial/ethnic groups: Latino men reported increased use of MDMA, White men reported increased use of methamphetamine. In Study #1, methamphetamine use was associated with HIV seroconversion. Throughout each study, polydrug use was common; most participants reported mixing combinations of club drugs and use in conjunction with other recreational substances. Participants wanted more accurate information on dangers of club drug use and harm reduction strategies. CONCLUSION: Club drug use was clearly related to unsafe HIV risk behaviors, but the relationship was more clear among the HIV+ men who admitted to using these drugs to enhance sexual experiences and deal with HIV-related issues. Harm reduction interventions and accurate information about these drugs are lacking.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Drug Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.