Substance Use, Medications for Sexual Facilitation, and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Traveling Men Who Have Sex With Men

Benotsch, Eric G.; Seeley, Salvatore; Mikytuck, John J.; Pinkerton, Steven D.; Nettles, Christopher D.; Ragsdale, Kathleen

doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000218862.34644.0e

Cited by 51 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Relationships between substance use and risky sex are of particular concern given that MSM tend to have higher rates of substance use than their heterosexual peers (Cochran et al, 2004;Ostrow and Stall, 2008;Stall and Wiley, 1988). Substance use and sexual risk are especially high among MSM while traveling (Bellis et al, 2004;Benotsch et al, 2006aBenotsch et al, , 2006bClift and Forrest, 1999;Crosby et al, 2003;Darrow et al, 2005;Whittier et al, 2005) and at party-oriented vacations (Benotsch et al, 2007;Lee et al, 2004;Mansergh et al, 2001;Mattison et al, 2001;Ross et al, 2003), events attended by gay and bisexual men that were once commonly referred to as "circuit parties." The prevalence of HIV-positive men at these events is also relatively high, ranging from 13% (Patel et al, 2006;Ross et al, 2003) to 25% .…”

Section: H IV Continues To Disproportionately Affect Men Who Have Sexmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men at Party-Oriented Vacations

Fisher

Ramchand

Bana

et al. 2013

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. Objective: This study examined substance use (intended and actual), unprotected sex, and HIV disclosure practices (disclosure and questioning) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) at two party-oriented vacations, where substance use and sexual risk may be heightened. Method: A random sample of 489 MSM attending one of two party-oriented vacations participated in PartyIntents, a short-term longitudinal survey. Nearly half (47%) completed a follow-up assessment at the event or online for up to 2 weeks after the event. We examined rates of baseline intentions to use substances, actual substance use, and unprotected intercourse among HIV-positive men in attendance. Rates among HIV-negative men were estimated for comparison. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the impact of illegal drug use and HIV status on unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Results: HIV-positive attendees (17%) were signifi cantly more likely than HIV-negative attendees to use nitrite inhalants (or "poppers") (24.3% vs. 10.7%). HIVpositive attendees were also signifi cantly more likely to have insertive UAI (64.3% vs. 34.1%) and receptive UAI (68.8% vs. 22.2%). Multivariate models showed associations between HIV status and illegal drug use with UAI (for HIV status, odds ratio [OR] = 4.5, p = .001; for any illegal drug use, OR = 16.4, p < .001). There was no evidence that the infl uence of drug use moderated risk by HIV status. Rates of HIV disclosure and questioning did not differ by HIV status. Conclusions: HIV-positive men attending these events engaged in higher rates of illegal drug use and sexual risk than HIV-negative men. Prevention campaigns targeting MSM at high-risk events should include messages geared toward HIVpositive men. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 74, 158-167, 2013)

show abstract

Section: H IV Continues To Disproportionately Affect Men Who Have Sexmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men at Party-Oriented Vacations

Fisher

Ramchand

Bana

et al. 2013

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Whilst the Strategy explicitly calls for better understanding of and responses to this broad group, no previous Australian study had investigated the social, cultural, and behavioural factors influencing HIV sexual risk among Australian men who travel overseas. Many European and North American studies have explored sex and travel; however, these studies focused on sexual risk behaviour while travelling, rather than the social, cultural and individual contexts that influence sexual risk among men who travel overseas for work or leisure [3] [11][12][13][14][15], and only few studies exist which explore why tourists engage in transactional or unprotected sex [16][17]. This paper presents findings from a small qualitative study exploring the social, cultural and sexual practices and contextual factors contributing to overseas-acquisition of HIV by male residents of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Living a life less ordinary’: exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Increasing international mobility has led to a growth of cross-border HIV transmission around the world. In Australia, increasing rates of HIV infections acquired overseas have been reported, particularly among men. This qualitative study explored experiences and risk perceptions of 14 Australian men who acquired HIV while living or travelling overseas from the year 2000. Methods: Symbolic interaction provided the study’s theoretical perspective and analytical framework. Australian men living with HIV who were aged 18 years and older, believed they had acquired their infection while working or travelling overseas during or after the year 2000, and were diagnosed from 2003 onwards were eligible to participate. A semistructured interview schedule was developed and tested for content validity with the study reference group. Analysis was conducted using an adapted form of grounded theory to form the basis for the development of the experiences domains. Results: Analysis produced four domains of experience: (1) a fantasy realised, (2) escaping and finding a new self or life, (3) living a life less ordinary and (4) living local but still an outsider. The description of the four experience domains highlights how risk generally, particularly sexual risk, did or did not feature in these men’s understanding of their experiences. Conclusion: Perceptions and experiences of long-term travel played a decisive role for men who acquired HIV when travelling overseas. Appealing to desired experiences such as connection to local culture or sustaining a new or adventurous life may provide important implications for guiding health promotion programs and policy.

show abstract

“…[1][2][3][4] Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, crack, methamphetamine), poppers, erectile dysfunction medications (EDM), and alcohol, all substances commonly used in sexual situations, have been prospectively linked with HIV seroconversion among MSM. [5][6][7][8][9] The disinhibiting effect of substances used during sex is theorized to increase engagement in risk behavior by facilitating a "cognitive escape" from the constant vigilance of practicing safe sex 10 and activating sexual outcome expectancies (e.g., "substance use enhances sexual pleasure"). 6 The magnitude of the association between substance use and sexual risk behavior may be enhanced among individuals who exhibit "risk prone" psychological profiles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substance Use and HIV Risk Behavior among Men Who Have Sex with Men: The Role of Sexual Compulsivity

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The relationship between substance use, sexual compulsivity and sexual risk behavior was assessed with a probability-based sample of men who have sex with men (MSM). Stimulant, poppers, erectile dysfunction medication (EDM), alcohol use, and sexual compulsivity were independently associated with higher odds of engaging in any serodiscordant unprotected anal intercourse (SDUAI). The association of sexual compulsivity with SDUAI was moderated by poppers and EDM use. Behavioral interventions are needed to optimize biomedical prevention of HIV among substance using MSM.

show abstract

Substance Use, Medications for Sexual Facilitation, and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Traveling Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract: Many MSM travelers report behaviors that may put their health at risk, including substance use and unprotected sexual activity. Interventions designed to reduce risk behaviors among MSM tourists are needed.

Cited by 51 publications

References 30 publications

Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men at Party-Oriented Vacations

Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men at Party-Oriented Vacations

‘Living a life less ordinary’: exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas

Substance Use and HIV Risk Behavior among Men Who Have Sex with Men: The Role of Sexual Compulsivity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About