Methamphetamine Use and Chemsex: An Emerging Threat for gender and sexually diverse people

Khan, Sharful Islam; Irfan, Samira Dishti; Khan, Mohammad Niaz Morshed

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_146-1

Cited by 3 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…A systematic review reported the rates of unprotected anal sex ranging from 30% to 38% among MSM engaging in chemsex,1 corroborated by studies in Australia and the UK 14 16. Chemsex also perpetuates the diversification of sexual experiences influenced by pornographic media 12. Global research reflected that chemsex predisposed MSM towards violent and coercive sexual behaviours, even occasional rape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The literature revealed numerous reasons for chemsex in Bangladesh and other settings including Thailand, China, UK, Malaysia, etc. MSM, MSW and hijra populations used methamphetamine, a common chemsex drug, to enhance and embellish sexual experiences (ie, initiate, enhance and prolong sex) 11 12. A Malaysian qualitative study noted that participants took methamphetamine to boost sexual performance, pleasure and sense of ‘exploration and adventurism’ 13.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A Malaysian qualitative study noted that participants took methamphetamine to boost sexual performance, pleasure and sense of ‘exploration and adventurism’ 13. Similar themes resonated among MSM, MSW and hijra in Bangladesh 11 12. Although global literature deliberated on reasons for chemsex, there is scant evidence about gender-related contexts of chemsex, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where these populations are particularly stigmatised.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding the dynamics of chemsex among men who have sex with men, male sex workers and transgender women in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a multiphase sequential mixed-method research protocol

Sarwar,

Irfan,

Reza

et al. 2023

BMJ Open

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IntroductionChemsex is defined as drug use to enhance sexual pleasure. Global literature illustrated the pervasiveness of chemsex among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (hijra) for prolonging anal intercourse, reducing pain and intensifying pleasure, oftentimes without condoms. Global literature highlighted the association between chemsex and unsafe sexual behaviours. These circumstances warrant targeted chemsex research to explore the chemsex situation. The study aims to explore the overall dynamics of chemsex among MSM, male sex workers (MSW) andhijrain Dhaka, Bangladesh and formulate culturally relevant, context-specific, gender-sensitive and evidence-based recommendations for chemsex interventions.Methods and analysisThis will be a sequential, exploratory, mixed-methods study. Data will be collected at four drop-in centres in Dhaka in three phases. To explore issues related to chemsex, the formative phase (phase 1) will generate evidence on the overall dynamics of chemsex through a literature review and qualitative interviews. Qualitative data will be manually analysed using thematic analysis. In phase 2, a cross-sectional survey will be conducted among 458 MSM, male sex workers andhijrato measure the prevalence, reasons and sexual risk behaviour associated with chemsex. In phase 3, qualitative interviews will be conducted with the participants involved in chemsex, service providers and relevant stakeholders to add qualitative depth to survey responses. In this phase, service provision will also be investigated for people engaging in chemsex. Moreover, based on the findings of phases 1 and 2, and qualitative interviews of phase 3, a preliminary chemsex intervention model will be developed through a series of intervention design workshops.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been attained from the Ethical Review Committee of icddr,b. Informed consent will be obtained from the participants, and confidentiality will be maintained during data collection and storage. Findings will be disseminated via several platforms including dissemination seminars, scientific articles and study report.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding the dynamics of chemsex among men who have sex with men, male sex workers and transgender women in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a multiphase sequential mixed-method research protocol

Sarwar,

Irfan,

Reza

et al. 2023

BMJ Open

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“…The findings of this article are extracted from a qualitative study that was conducted in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh to explore the patterns and key driving factors for chemsex, particularly methamphetamine use, as well as the implications of chemsex on the sexual lives of MSM and hijra (Khan et al, 2019(Khan et al, , 2022. That qualitative study consisted of 30 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and six focus group discussions (FGDs) with the target population (described below), and 15 key-informant interviews (KIIs) with HIV intervention service providers, harm reduction specialists, and academicians.…”

Section: Premises Of the Qualitative Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent qualitative study conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh among MSM and transgender women (locally known as hijra) revealed that the participants would often engage in chemsex for various reasons, primarily enhancing their sexual performance, intensifying their sexual pleasure, augmenting their capacity to uptake more clients to generate more income, and increasing their sexual pride (Khan et al, 2019). However, the same study also revealed that chemsex could perpetuate behaviors that could be detrimental to their SRHR-related outcomes, such as increasing coercive sex, enhancing group and serial sex, engaging in transactional sex with unknown clients, multiple sex partners, and condomless anal intercourse which increased their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs; Khan et al, 2019Khan et al, , 2022.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An uncharted territory of sexualized drug use: exploring the dynamics of chemsex among young and adolescent MSM including self-identified gay men in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh

Irfan,

Sarwar,

Emran

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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Global and local literature depicted the pervasiveness of chemsex among men who have sex with men (MSM), yet there is limited evidence on adolescents and youth. Though literature showed their engagement in chemsex, further exploration is warranted about their socio-sexual contexts and implications. Therefore, this article explored the contexts and implications of chemsex on young and adolescent MSM. This article is extracted from qualitative research evidence, and research data are triangulated by programmatic evidence on adolescent and young MSM from two ongoing pilot interventions. The key motivational factors for engaging in chemsex were primarily rooted in the dynamics of their peer networks. Specifically, the onset of drug use is predominantly attributed to curiosity toward experimentation with methamphetamine, peer influence, propensity to lose weight, and increasing courage to approach potential sexual partners. Moreover, they continued taking drugs as it enhanced their sexual performance, thus perpetuating chemsex. Additionally, the findings revealed several sexual implications of methamphetamine, e.g., bolstering their sexual “stamina,” increasing their propensity toward sexual violence, and reducing their decision-making abilities and judgment, thus collectively decreasing condom use. In essence, chemsex is considerably driven by their socio-sexual contexts, thus perpetuating sexual risk behaviors and compromising sexual health outcomes. Therefore, harm reduction interventions targeted need to be designed keeping in mind their socio-sexual dynamics and age.

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Chemsex and Harm Reduction Practices Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia: Findings from a Qualitative Study

Palmer,

Maviglia,

Wickersham

et al. 2023

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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Methamphetamine Use and Chemsex: An Emerging Threat for gender and sexually diverse people

Cited by 3 publications

References 45 publications

Understanding the dynamics of chemsex among men who have sex with men, male sex workers and transgender women in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a multiphase sequential mixed-method research protocol

Understanding the dynamics of chemsex among men who have sex with men, male sex workers and transgender women in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a multiphase sequential mixed-method research protocol

An uncharted territory of sexualized drug use: exploring the dynamics of chemsex among young and adolescent MSM including self-identified gay men in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh

Chemsex and Harm Reduction Practices Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia: Findings from a Qualitative Study

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