285672
Group sexual practices and motivations for using methamphetamine among rural men and women
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Aleta Baldwin, MA,
Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Erika Collazo, MPH,
Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Nicholas Goeders, PhD,
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
Elyse Cornett,
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
ABSTRACT. Background. Research has shown that methamphetamine use is associated with higher-risk sexual behaviors and an increased likelihood of HIV & STI acquisition. While there is little research on the motivations of meth use outside of urban MSM populations, what research does exist points to sexual enhancement as a central motivating factor. This study assessed trends in sexual enhancement motivation for meth use, sexual behaviors engaged in while high, and risk reduction strategies employed. Methods. Male and female participants were recruited while accessing harm reduction and syringe exchange services through a rural community-based risk-reduction program. Participants were eligible if they had used meth in the past six months and engaged in sexual activity with a partner. A paper-based questionnaire was completed on-site. Results. Participants reported motivations for using meth and how meth altered their sexual inhibitions. In addition, participants reported engaging in sex with multiple partners, including partners of both the same- and other-gender. Rates of contraception, lubrication, and condom use, as well as reasons for not using contraception, lubrication, and/or condoms are also reported. Conclusions. Results suggest that regardless of whether sexual enhancement was a motivation for using meth, sexual inhibitions were impacted and higher-risk sexual behaviors were engaged in. Findings suggest that methamphetamine users should have targeted safe sex messages aimed at practicing safer sex while using the drug.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Compare the influence of drug-use motivations on STI & HIV risk behaviors among rural methamphetamine users.
Identify trends in sexual motivations to use meth and sexual behaviors engaged in while using meth.
Keyword(s): HIV Risk Behavior, Substance Abuse
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a co-investigator on this study as well as a member of the study team led by the APHA HIV/AIDS section chair. I teach and conduct research for the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University Bloomington.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
