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Pepper N, Zúñiga ML, Corliss HL. Use of poppers (nitrite inhalants) among young men who have sex with men with HIV: A clinic-based qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1741. [PMID: 38951768 PMCID: PMC11218135 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19284-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitrite inhalants (poppers) are associated with HIV transmission and commonly used among young men who have sex with men (YMSM), a group at increased risk for HIV. Significant research gaps exist in understanding the context in which YMSM use poppers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 YMSM (22-31 years) with HIV to better understand the context in which poppers are used and their impacts on HIV care outcomes, such as care retention and antiretroviral adherence. The Social Ecological Model was applied to understand intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and system level influences on popper use. Factors influencing popper use included: ubiquity of popper use in sexual settings, introduction to poppers by casual sexual partners, patient-HIV provider communication surrounding poppers, neighborhood, substance use and HIV care systems, and the legal status of poppers. Implications for clinical care, public health, policy, and future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pepper
- University of California San Diego, Pediatrics, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | | | - Heather L Corliss
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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Amundsen E, Muller AE, Reierth E, Skogen V, Berg RC. Chemsex Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Systematic Scoping Review of Research Methods. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024; 71:1392-1418. [PMID: 36939142 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2023.2170757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemsex refers to the use of psychoactive substances with sex. We carried out a systematic scoping review of methodological characteristics of chemsex research among men who have sex with men (MSM), published between 2010 and 2020. For inclusion, chemsex had to be the main focus, and studies had to specify GHB/GBL, stimulant (amphetamine, crystal meth, ecstasy/MDMA, cathinones, cocaine) and/or ketamine use with sex as a variable. From 7055 titles/abstracts, 108 studies were included, mostly cross-sectional, and from Western countries. About one-third of studies recruited exclusively from clinical settings. A majority of these recruited from sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics. The included quantitative studies analyzed possible associations between chemsex and STI health (40%), mental health (15%), drug health (12%), sexological health (10%), and post-diagnostic HIV health (7%). Most studies included GHB/GBL and crystal meth in their operationalization of chemsex. Definitions and operationalizations of chemsex vary greatly in the literature, and researchers of chemsex among MSM should consider ways in which this variation impacts the validity of their results. More studies are needed among MSM in non-high income and non-Western countries, and examination of possible links between chemsex and post-diagnostic HIV health, sexological health, and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik Amundsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Eirik Reierth
- Science and Health Library, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vegard Skogen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rigmor C Berg
- Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Liu Y, Bleasdale J, Przybyla S, Higgins MC, Zhang C. Racial Variations in Psychosocial Vulnerabilities Linked to Differential Poppers Use and Associated HIV-Related Outcomes among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Study in Two U.S. Metropolitan Areas. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:560-568. [PMID: 35067175 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.2023185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Background: Poppers use has become increasingly prevalent and is associated with elevated HIV risk among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in urban settings. However, knowledge regarding racial variations of poppers use and their psychosocial determinants to inform culturally-targeted interventions remain limited. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among YMSM recruited from two US metropolitan areas (Nashville, TN and Buffalo, NY) to investigate the differences of socio-environmental and mental health factors associated with poppers use and important HIV-related outcomes [e.g., HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors] among White and Black YMSM (i.e., YWMSM and YBMSM). Results: Among 347 YMSM aged 18-35 years, 32.3% reported poppers use. Notably, poppers-using YWMSM were more likely (p < 0.05) to report mental health burdens (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness), while poppers-using YBMSM were more likely (p < 0.05) to experience adverse social-environmental events (e.g., unstable housing, food insecurity, no health insurance, perceived HIV stigma, internalized homonegativity). Poppers-using YMSM showed a higher prevalence of sexual risk behaviors (e.g., event-level alcohol/drug use, condomless insertive/receptive anal sex, group sex) compared to their non-user counterparts, with YWMSM showing the highest likelihood to engage in these risk behaviors. Compared to poppers-using YBMSM, poppers-using YWMSM were associated with a higher likelihood of ever testing for HIV, ever using PrEP and willingness to use PrEP in the next 12 months. Conclusion: Given the distinctive patterns of psychosocial determinants of poppers use between YWMSM and YBMSM, culturally-tailored poppers reduction programs should be designed to tackle the associated HIV risks among YMSM with effectivenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jacob Bleasdale
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Sarahmona Przybyla
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Chen Zhang
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
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Crane HM, Nance R, Whitney BM, Ruderman S, Tsui JI, Chander G, McCaul ME, Lau B, Mayer KH, Batey DS, Safren SA, Moore RD, Eron JJ, Napravnik S, Mathews WC, Fredericksen RJ, Hahn AW, Mugavero MJ, Lober WB, Saag MS, Kitahata MM, Delaney JAC. Drug and alcohol use among people living with HIV in care in the United States by geographic region. AIDS Care 2021; 33:1569-1576. [PMID: 33486978 PMCID: PMC9104760 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1874274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Substance use in the U.S. varies by geographic region. Opioid prescribing practices and marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine availability are evolving differently across regions. We examined self-reported substance use among people living with HIV (PLWH) in care at seven sites from 2017-2019 to understand current regional substance use patterns. We calculated the percentage and standardized percentage of PLWH reporting current drug use and at-risk and binge alcohol use by U.S. Census Bureau geographic region and examined associations in adjusted logistic regression analyses. Among 7,686 PLWH, marijuana use was the most prevalent drug (30%), followed by methamphetamine/crystal (8%), cocaine/crack (7%), and illicit opioids (3%). One-third reported binge alcohol use (32%). Differences in percent of current use by region were seen for marijuana (24-41%) and methamphetamine/crystal (2-15%), with more use in the West and Northeast, and binge alcohol use (26-40%). In adjusted analyses, PLWH in the Midwest were significantly less likely to use methamphetamine/crystal (aOR: 0.13;0.06-0.25) or illicit opioids (aOR:0.16;0.05-0.53), and PLWH in the Northeast were more likely to use cocaine/crack (aOR:1.59;1.16-2.17), compared to PLWH in the West. Understanding differences in substance use patterns in the current era, as policies continue to evolve, will enable more targeted interventions in clinical settings among PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Crane
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robin Nance
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Judith I. Tsui
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Mary E McCaul
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bryan Lau
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth H. Mayer
- Fenway Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D Scott Batey
- Department of Social Work, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami FL, USA
| | - Richard D Moore
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph J Eron
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sonia Napravnik
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - W Chris Mathews
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrew W Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael J Mugavero
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - William B Lober
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael S Saag
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mari M Kitahata
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joseph AC Delaney
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
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Li X, Guo M, Wang W, Wei L, Xiao C, Yu L, Yan H. Association between childhood sexual abuse and patterns of HIV risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in China: A latent class analysis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 120:105164. [PMID: 34225216 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105164] [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: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) exacerbate the transmission of HIV. Previous studies had demonstrated that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) was associated with one or more sexual behaviors, but few studies have been conducted among MSM in China. OBJECTIVE This present study aimed to estimate latent classes of risky sexual behaviors and test for CSA differences in latent class memberships among Chinese MSM. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING The eligible participants were MSM aged 16 years or older who reported ever having oral or anal sex with men in the past 6 months. METHODS Data were obtained from an anonymous questionnaire between September 2017 to January 2018 in three cities in China, and contained questions about sexual-related behaviors and CSA experience. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify the patterns of sexual behaviors and binomial regression was used to examine the relationships among these variables. RESULTS Among 628 MSM, 22.6% reported experiencing CSA. A two-classes pattern of sexual behaviors was identified, with 46.7% in the low-risk class and 53.3% in the high-risk class. MSM who experienced CSA were more likely to be high-risk group compared to those without CSA experiences [odds ratio (OR) = 1.981; 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.329-2.954)]. CONCLUSIONS CSA was prevalent among Chinese MSM. And MSM with CSA experiences are more prone to be assigned to the high-risk group. Future HIV interventions need to focus on MSM who experienced CSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Li
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Menglan Guo
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Liqing Wei
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chenchang Xiao
- City College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liping Yu
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Yan
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Le A, Yockey A, Palamar JJ. Use of "Poppers" among Adults in the United States, 2015-2017. J Psychoactive Drugs 2020; 52:433-439. [PMID: 32669067 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1791373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We sought to estimate the prevalence as well as demographic and drug use-related correlates of poppers use among adults in the United States. Data were analyzed from adult participants (ages 18-64) in the 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 115,744), a nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized adults in the US. An estimated 3.3% of adults have ever used poppers. Over a third (35.1%) of gay men are estimated as having ever used poppers. Estimates were lower for heterosexual (3.7%) and bisexual males (11.3%), and for heterosexual (1.8%), bisexual (4.8%), and lesbian women (6.3%). In the multivariable model, compared to male heterosexuals, gay men were at increased odds for reporting lifetime popper use (aOR = 24.64, p<.001), and bisexual men (aOR = 3.55, p <.001), lesbian women (aOR = 1.86, p =.010), and bisexual women (aOR = 1.33, p =.049) were at increased odds for lifetime use. Having a college degree was associated with increased odds for use, and lifetime use of marijuana, ecstasy/MDMA/Molly, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, tranquilizers, and/or opioids were associated with higher odds for use. Gay men in particular are at high risk for use. Results can help inform prevention efforts, particularly in sexual minority populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Le
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine , New York, NY, USA.,College of Dentistry, New York University , New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Yockey
- School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph J Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine , New York, NY, USA
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