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Vallée A. Sexual behaviors, cannabis, alcohol and monkeypox infection. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1054488. [PMID: 36733281 PMCID: PMC9887129 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1054488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in 2022 is a worldwide health issue. The rapid increase of monkeypox cases caused the WHO to designate the escalating global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on July 23, 2022. The WHO has called on the group currently most affected by the virus, men who have sex with men (MSM), to limit their sexual partners. The diminution in number of sexual partners not only decreases the proportion of infected MSM but could also increases the number of days needed to reach a given infection level among the general population. Several behavioral factors could be associated with high levels of different sexual partners, such as cannabis use and alcohol consumption. Firstly, this review focuses on the association between cannabis and alcohol consumption and the number of sexual partners, and their possible impact on the current MPXV outbreak by impairing the immune responses. Secondly, this review investigated in the UK Biobank cohort the relationship between alcohol and cannabis use and the number of sexual partners. Among the 115,604 participants, 1.8% declared to be MSM, 1.9% to be WSW (women having sex with women), 43.3% men heterosexuals and 53.0% women heterosexuals. MSM and WSW showed higher lifetime sexual partners (N = 17.4 (SD:17.52) and N = 13.65 (SD: 13.21), respectively) compared to heterosexual men (N = 6.89 (SD: 9.47) and women (N = 5.19 (SD:6.56), p < 0.001. After adjustment for age, body mass index, lifetime sexual activity, educational and income levels, tobacco and cardiovascular diseases, cannabis use and alcohol consumption remained significantly associated with increase in the number of different sexual partners in all four subgroups. Thus, cannabis use and alcohol consumption may have two detrimental effects on the MPXV outbreak: by participating in the increase of the number of sexual partners which are mainly responsible for the augmentation of the number of new MPXV infected cases and by impairing the immune response to a viral infection. Health and safety policies should address the factors and practices, including chemsex, leading to an increase in risk of sexual behaviors responsible for MPXV dissemination in the worldwide population.
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Firkey M, Sheinfil A, Ramos J, Woolf-King SE. Cannabis and Alcohol Co-Use and Condomless Anal Sex Among Men Who have Sex with Men Living with HIV: An Event-Level Analysis. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3770-3781. [PMID: 33733310 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03228-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for more than two thirds of new HIV diagnoses annually. Sexual behavior that increases risk for onward transmission of HIV is associated with both alcohol and cannabis use. However, little is known about the influence of cannabis and alcohol co-use on engagement in condomless anal sex (CAS). The current study explored daily associations between substance use and CAS among HIV-positive MSM using a 42-day timeline followback interview (N = 101). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression models were used to examine the association between cannabis and alcohol co-use and CAS at the sexual event while controlling for study site, condition, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, sex-related alcohol expectancies, and partner type. Participants provided data for 1052 sexual activity days, 60.7% of which involved CAS. Of 638 CAS days, 9.1% involved no substances, 72.0% involved either cannabis or alcohol use, and 18.9% involved cannabis and alcohol co-use. Results indicated that the odds of engaging in CAS were higher for sexual events in which cannabis and alcohol co-use occurred (aOR 2.98; 95% CI 1.27, 6.97) compared to events in which no substance use occurred (p = 0.012), but this relationship was no longer significant when cannabis and alcohol co-use was compared to single substance use (aOR 1.57; 95% CI 0.85, 2.90; p = 0.15). Future research should identify specific substance use (e.g., quantity) and partner characteristics (e.g., level of intoxication) that may uniquely influence the relationship between cannabis and alcohol co-use and condomless sex.
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Ssekamatte T, Kibira SPS, Tetui M, Isunju JB, Mugambe RK, Wafula ST, Buregyeya E, Nalwadda CK, Bukenya JN, Wanyenze RK. Do sexual expectancies and inhibitions predict high-risk sexual behaviours? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey among young psychoactive substance users in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1506. [PMID: 34348701 PMCID: PMC8336356 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11536-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychoactive substance use is a public health challenge among young people in informal settlements. Though rarely examined, psychoactive substance use is linked to sexual expectancies and inhibitions, and consequently high-risk sexual behaviours. This study examined the association between sexual expectancies and inhibitions, and high-risk sexual behaviours among young psychoactive substance users (PSUs) in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS This cross-sectional study recruited 744 young PSUs from informal settlements in Kampala. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit respondents. A 'modified' Poisson regression model was used for inferential statistics. Data were analysed using the Stata 14 software. RESULTS Of the 744 study participants, 45.6% believed that psychoactive substance use improves sexual performance; 43.3% believed that psychoactive substances make sex more pleasurable, and 53.3% believed that psychoactive substances give courage or confidence to approach a partner for sex. The belief that psychoactive substance use improves sexual performance (PR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01-1.30), increases the likelihood of engaging in sex (PR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.40) or gives courage or confidence to approach a sexual partner (PR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.39) were associated with having sex while under the influence of psychoactive substances. The belief that a psychoactive substance user under the influence of psychoactive substances is more likely to engage in sex (PR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15-1.90), and likely to find it difficult to refuse sex (PR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.55) were positively associated with engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. The belief that one easily forgets to use a condom when under the influence of psychoactive substances was positively associated with inconsistent condom use (PR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.09-1.45). CONCLUSION Psychoactive substance use expectancies associated with high-risk sexual behaviours included the belief that psychoactive substances improve sexual performance and improve confidence in approaching a sexual partner. Psychoactive substance use inhibitions associated with high-risk sexual behaviours included an increased likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse, difficulties in refusing to engage in sexual intercourse, and forgetting to use condoms while intoxicated. Interventions targeting a reduction in high-risk sexual behaviour should integrate the impact of psychoactive substance use on sexual behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonny Ssekamatte
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon P. S. Kibira
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses Tetui
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Departement of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John Bosco Isunju
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Richard K. Mugambe
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Solomon Tsebeni Wafula
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Esther Buregyeya
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christine Kayemba Nalwadda
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Justine Nnakate Bukenya
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rhoda K. Wanyenze
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
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Elliott JC, Greene AL, Thompson RG, Eaton NR, Hasin DS. Substance use in a sexual context: The association of sex-related substance use motives with substance choice and use behaviors. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2021; 26:212-217. [PMID: 33732094 DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1807633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use before sex is associated with riskier behaviors. Sex-related substance use motives may explain pre-sex substance use. We explored what sex-related motives are associated with alcohol versus drug use, and which motives underlie heavier use. METHODS A sample of 936 participants (50% male, 80% White) completed an Internet survey about sexuality. Those who drank before sex (n=657) reported on six sex-related drinking motives; those who used drugs before sex (n=271) reported on six (parallel) sex-related drug use motives. The frequency of endorsement of each motive between drinkers and drug users was compared with z-distributions. Logistic regressions assessed whether motives were associated with substance use frequency and intoxication before sex. RESULTS Substance use to relax and to get a sex partner to use were more commonly endorsed for alcohol than drugs; substance use to improve performance and enhance experience were more commonly endorsed for drugs. Most motives were associated with alcohol frequency and intoxication before sex. None were associated with drug frequency; some were associated with drug intoxication. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol was generally used to facilitate sex, and drugs to enhance sex. Sex-related drinking motives were associated with drinking before sex; sex-related drug use motives were less predictive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Elliott
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashley L Greene
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Ronald G Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Nicholas R Eaton
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Deborah S Hasin
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Ford JV, Choi J, Walsh K, Wall M, Mellins CA, Reardon L, Santelli J, Hirsch JS, Wilson PA. Using a Daily Diary Approach to Examine Substance Use and Negative Sexual Experiences Among College Students. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:277-287. [PMID: 32394112 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01714-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This article examined substance use and sexual behavior by conducting an analysis of college students' reported behaviors using a daily diary approach. By isolating particular sexual events across a 2-month period, we examined situational predictors of engagement in sex and of negative sexual experiences (coerced sex and/or sex that lacks perceived control) for college men and women. Data come from the daily diary sub-study of the Sexual Health Initiative to Foster Transformation. These data include 60 days of daily responses from 420 undergraduates at one New York City institution. This was a relatively diverse sample comprised of 49% women, 28% identifying as non-heterosexual, 60% non-white, and a roughly equal number of college freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Analyses examined the effects of alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana use, and other drug use on sexual experiences. Between-person and within-person substance uses were related to an increased likelihood of having at least one sexual encounter during the study period. After adjusting for each participants' average substance use, both the number of alcoholic drinks consumed (AOR 1.13 (1.05-1.21)) and binge drinking scores (AOR 2.04 (1.10-3.79)) increased the likelihood of negative sex. Interaction analyses showed that compared to men, women were more likely to use alcohol and marijuana prior to sexual encounters. Given that sex and substance use are co-occurring, current prevention approaches should be paired with strategies that attempt to prevent negative sexual experiences, including sexual assault, more directly. These include consent education, bystander training, augmentation of sexual refusal skills, and structural change. Efforts promoting increased sex positivity might also help make all students, and women in particular, less likely to use substances in order to facilitate sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie V Ford
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Jean Choi
- Mental Health Data Science, Departments of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kate Walsh
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melanie Wall
- Mental Health Data Science, Departments of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claude Ann Mellins
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leigh Reardon
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - John Santelli
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer S Hirsch
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Patrick A Wilson
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168 St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Currin JM, Hubach RD, Croff JM. Sex, drugs, & rurality: A brief qualitative analysis of rural gay and bisexual men’s substance use sex expectancies. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2019.1581284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Currin
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Randolph D. Hubach
- Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Julie M. Croff
- Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
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