Poppers, queer sex and a Canadian crackdown: Examining the experiences of alkyl nitrite use among young sexual minority men

Schwartz, Christine R.; Fast, Danya; Knight, Rod

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102670

Cited by 16 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…However, in this sample, inhalant using participants were more likely to have been tested for both HIV and STIs in the previous year. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between amyl-nitrate use and risky sexual behavior, and it is plausible that these participants engage in testing in recognition of their risk-taking behaviors [ 65 ], especially when amyl-nitrites are almost exclusively used to facilitate anal intercourse [ 66 ]. The results indicate that there is no single relationship between substance use and engagement in HIV and STI testing and that it is important to look critically at the relationships between individual types of substance use (ie, opioids vs cannabis vs amyl-nitrites) when attempting to design programs that promote testing for substance using AYA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Substance-Using Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults: Baseline Survey of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Parker¹,

Choi²,

Bauermeister³

et al. 2022

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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Background Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals are more heavily affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. In addition, sexual and gender minorities who use substances are often at a further increased risk of HIV and other STIs. Increasing testing for HIV and other STIs allows this hardly reached population to receive early intervention, prevention, and education. Objective We explored HIV and STI testing patterns among 414 sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 29 years who self-reported substance use and lived in southeastern Michigan. Methods We analyzed data from the baseline survey of a 4-arm randomized controlled trial that aimed to examine the efficacy of a brief substance use intervention for creating gains in engagement in HIV prevention. We fit multinomial logistic regression models to 2 categorical HIV and STI testing variables (lifetime and previous 12 months) based on self-reports of testing (never, STIs only, HIV only, or both). In addition, we compared HIV and STI testing behaviors across demographic characteristics, structural factors, psychosocial barriers, substance use, and sexual behaviors. Results Our findings showed that 35.5% (147/414) of adolescents and young adults reported not being tested for either HIV or STIs in the previous year, and less than half (168/414, 40.6%) of the sample achieved the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation of HIV and STI testing once per year. We observed HIV and STI testing disparities across sociodemographic (eg, sexual identity, education, and income) and health (eg, substance use) correlates. Specifically, cisgender gay men who have sex with men were more likely to report being tested for HIV compared with bisexual men and transgender individuals, who were more likely to be tested for STIs. Conclusions This study illustrates the results of an HIV prevention intervention in southeastern Michigan showing the need for HIV prevention interventions that leverage structural factors, psychosocial barriers, and substance use as key drivers to achieve HIV and STI testing rates to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02945436; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945436 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/resprot.9414

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Substance-Using Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults: Baseline Survey of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Parker¹,

Choi²,

Bauermeister³

et al. 2022

JMIR Public Health Surveill

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that MSM preferring receptive anal intercourse or versatile anal intercourse were more likely to be nitrite inhalants users [ 12 , 16 ], and a similar result was found in this study. One possible explanation could be that nitrite inhalants have the effect of relaxing the anal sphincter, which could prevent injury and facilitate sex by not causing pain during anal penetration [ 20 , 21 ]. Furthermore, we found that earlier anal sex experience was correlated with nitrite inhalants use.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was previously reported that MSM commonly use nitrite inhalants or erectile dysfunction medications before or during group sex [ 25 , 27 – 29 ]. Nitrite inhalants were known to increase sexual desire, maintain erection and enhance sexual pleasure [ 16 , 21 ], which might partly explain why MSM were more likely to use nitrite inhalants in the context of group sex. Moreover, similar to other recreational drugs, nitrite inhalants may also affect central nervous system function and influence decision-making [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrite inhalants use, sexual behaviors and HIV/syphilis infection among men who have sex with men in Chongqing, China

et al. 2020

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Background Emerging evidence indicates nitrite inhalants have become increasingly prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). The present study aimed to describe the prevalence and correlates of nitrite inhalants use and its association with risky sexual behaviors and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/syphilis infection among MSM in Chongqing, a city in China where MSM were burdened with the highest pooled HIV prevalence in the country. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chongqing between March 2019 and February 2020. Information of demographics, drug use, sexual behaviors and HIV testing was collected through an anonymous survey. Blood samples were drawn from each participant for the diagnoses of HIV and syphilis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors correlated with nitrite inhalants use and its relationship with risky sexual behaviors and HIV/syphilis infection. Results Of the 1151 eligible participants, 18.9% (218) reported use of at least one type of recreational drugs in the past 6 months, and nitrite inhalants were the most commonly used substance (17.7, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 15.6–20.2%). The proportions of participants reported engaging in group sex and practicing condomless internal ejaculation during anal sex in the past six months were 5.8% (95% CI : 4.4–7.2%) and 41.7% (95% CI : 38.7–44.7%), respectively. The general prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection among the enrolled MSM were 16.8% (95% CI : 14.7–19.0%) and 12.6% (95% CI : 10.7–14.4%), respectively. Factors positively associated with nitrite inhalants use included: age ≤ 25 (adjusted odds ratio [a OR ] = 2.08, 95% CI : 1.10–3.94), monthly individual income ≥ CNY 3000 (Chinese Yuan) (a OR = 1.95, 95% CI : 1.18–3.22), preferring receptive anal intercourse (a OR = 2.27, 95% CI : 1.34–3.84) and versatile anal intercourse (a OR = 2.60, 95% CI : 1.64–4.13), age at first anal intercourse < 18 (a OR = 1.79, 95% CI : 1.21–2.67), engaging in group sex in the past six months (a OR = 9.34, 95% CI : 4.95–17.63), having multiple male sex partners in the past 6 months (a OR = 2.32, 95% CI : 1.50–3.58), practicing CIE during anal sex in the past six months (a OR = 1.71, 95% CI : 1.19–2.46), HIV infection (a OR = 1.72, 95% CI : 1.11–2.66) and syphilis infection (a OR = 1.98, 95% ...

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“…In addition, SU in SMY must also be understood as part of a subcultural context: Two studies in Australia showed that sexual minority youths agreed to the statement that the LGBT community has more liberal attitudes towards SU [ 12 ] and that the participation in the LGBT community is associated with higher SU involvement among sexual minority youth [ 13 ]. This has been shown in particular among men having sex with men (MSM) for sexualized SU [ 25 , 46 ]. Knowing these factors (subcultural context, norms, behavior, perception) is important for efficient and successful prevention [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substance use in sexual minority youth: prevalence in an urban cohort

Vock,

Johnson-Ferguson,

Bechtiger

et al. 2023

Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health

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Background Little comparative data on substance use (SU) between sexual minority youth (SMY) and heterosexual youth (HET) is available. This study compares the prevalence of SU in an urban cohort between SMY and HET and evaluates demographic and psychosocial predictors of SU. Methods Data came from a prospective-longitudinal cohort study in an urban setting (N = 1297). SU and psychosocial variables such as internalizing symptoms, self-control, sensation-seeking, bullying-victimization, subjective stress, leisure activities, and peer influences were assessed with self-reports at age 17 and 20. SU was stratified by sex and sexual attraction, and the groups were compared using regression models, with demographic and psychosocial variables included as covariates. Results SMY- and HET-youth displayed differences in a number of psychosocial variables. Overall, SMY- and HET-youth differed in their 12-months prevalence of SU: At age 17, SMY-females had significantly higher rates of SU than HET-females for cannabis (aOR = 2.14, p = 0.04), ecstasy/MDMA (aOR = 4.29, p = 0.01), and hallucinogens (aOR = 5.59, p = 0.02). At age 20, SMY-females had significantly higher rates of SU than HET-females for tobacco (aOR = 2.06, p = 0.03), cannabis (aOR = 2.24, p = 0.004), ecstasy/MDMA (aOR = 3.93, p < 0.001), stimulants (aOR = 3.45, p = 0.002), and hallucinogens (aOR = 6.65, p < 0.001). SMY-males reported significantly lower rates for tobacco and cannabis than HET-males at age 17. At age 20, they reported significantly higher rates for the use of ecstasy/MDMA (aOR = 2.30, p = 0.04) and hallucinogens (aOR = 2.43, p = 0.03). Conclusions Given that psychosocial variables were significant covariates of SMY-status and SU, our results underline the importance of accounting for these when explaining differences in SU between adolescents. While differentiation by sex is established in most studies, such standardized comparisons are lacking with regards to sexual identities. But knowledge about SU of SMY is critical for designing effective interventions. This is especially true for SMY-females: Thus, SU in SMY-females early in life needs to be explored more thoroughly and addressed with adequate prevention measures.

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Poppers, queer sex and a Canadian crackdown: Examining the experiences of alkyl nitrite use among young sexual minority men

Cited by 16 publications

References 24 publications

HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Substance-Using Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults: Baseline Survey of a Randomized Controlled Trial

HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Substance-Using Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults: Baseline Survey of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nitrite inhalants use, sexual behaviors and HIV/syphilis infection among men who have sex with men in Chongqing, China

Substance use in sexual minority youth: prevalence in an urban cohort

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