Needle exchange practitioners accounts of delivering harm reduction advice for chemsex: implications for policy and practice

The Experience of Chemsex and Accessing Medical Care for Gay, Bisexual and Other MSM in Russia: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

The use of illicit drugs during sex (Chemsex) in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) has been a challenge for sexual health services globally. In Russia, HIV remains a significant public health concern and access to prevention and treatment services is limited. Little is known about the nature of Chemsex and the challenges GBMSM practicing Chemsex in Russia face when accessing medical care. This study explored GBMSM's experience with Chemsex and access to medical care. We conducted three focus groups with GBMSM (n = 19) based in Moscow and Yekaterinburg in December 2020. The focus groups explored their experience with Chemsex and accessing medical care. We used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyze the data. GBMSM engaged in Chemsex through social networks and cited pleasure as one of their main reasons for engaging. The men described their addiction and perceiving many dangers at Chemsex group sessions. They reported using several self-care mechanisms to recover after a group session. Many reported feeling stigmatization from other members of the GBMSM community. Perceived barriers to medical care included legal barriers and stigmatization from medical professionals. To better support GBMSM, they felt there was a need for better access to sexual health and HIV prevention services, and psychological support. Our study highlights the unmet need in services for GBMSM engaging in Chemsex in Russia. It highlights how societal perceptions of homosexuality and drug use act as barriers to effective interventions for both sexual health and drug use.

Chemsex and its risk factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong

We were intrigued by Hanum et al, who published a study on the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in homosexual, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men at sexual health clinics in England and the relationship between baseline variables and future HIV occurrence. Chemically-enhanced sexual experience (chemsex) is becoming a global phenomenon. There are increasing medical and academic concerns about chemsex, where substances are used to boost sexual satisfaction, which is prevalent in groups, especially among homosexuals. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queers have become increasingly visible, valued, and committed community. However, chemsex requires urgent attention.