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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Michael Fendrich, PhD, Center for Addiction & Behavioral Health Research, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Endiris Hall, Room 1191, P.O. Box 786, Milwaukee, WI 53201, 414-229-6749, fendrich@uwm.edu and Timothy Johnson, PhD, Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois-Chicago, 615 CUPPAH, 412 S. Peoria, Chicago, IL 60607.

Substance use has been studied extensively as a risk factor for HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of the data about dug use behavior among MSM has been based on self-reports on surveys which have been previously shown to underestimate drug use in the general population. In addition, with some important and notable exceptions, much of the research on this issue has been generated from convenience samples. Here we report on biological indicators of drug use derived from a multi-stage probability sample of MSM who participated in an Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) in the City of Chicago in 2002-2003. In this sample of 216 men ages 18-55 interviewed in their homes, over 80% participated in either urine or saliva testing. Biological specimens screened for drugs were confirmed using GC/MS procedures. Of those participating in both urine and saliva testing (n=146), 25% tested positive for cocaine. Out of 124 urine samples that were tested using a newly developed procedure for detecting ketamine, 12% tested positive for this substance. We note a considerable overlap between the findings derived from drug tests and self-reports in this study. Demographic correlates of drug use indicators are presented. Implications of these high rates of drug use for intervention and prevention are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Those attending this session will learn about the recent rends in drug use and other risk behavior among MSM and about the feasibility and use of drug testing in population studies focused on MSM

Keywords: Gay Men, Substance Abuse Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered