Kyung Hee Choi, PhD¹, Don Operario, PhD¹, Steve Gregorich, PhD¹, and Willi McFarland, MD, PhD². (1) Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 597-9281, khchoi@psg.ucsf.edu, (2) HIV Seroepidemiology Unit, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102

Background: Substance use is highly prevalent among young Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) men who have sex with men (MSM). However, little is known about which substances are used in conjunction with sexual activity and whether having unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) varies by substance choice in this population. Methods: From January 2000 to September 2001, we sampled 496 API MSM aged 18 to 29 years from 30 randomly selected gay-identified venues in San Francisco, California and interviewed them face-to-face using a standardized questionnaire. Results: Overall, 47% of the sample reported UAI in the past six months. During the same time period, 32% and 34% reported using alcohol and drugs during sex, respectively. The drugs most commonly used during sex were methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy”; 19%), followed by marijuana (14%), poppers (11%), and crystal (10%). In a multivariate model, we observed associations between UAI and using ecstasy (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.37, 5.02) and poppers during sex (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.50, 7.25). However, using alcohol, marijuana, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and crystal during sex had no influence on UAI. Conclusions: One third of sampled young API MSM used drugs or alcohol during sex. The co-occurrence of ecstasy and popper use and unprotected sex underscores the need to develop HIV prevention programs focusing on particular drugs.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• learn about levels of drug use among Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) men who have sex with men (MSM);
• list particular drugs that put young API MSM at increased risk for engaging in unproected sex.

Keywords: Drug Use, Sexual Risk Behavior

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.