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Schwartz C, Card K, Elliott R, Hollett K, Jollimore J, Pasic A, Smiley S, Tooley L, Pruden H, Knight R. Assessing options for poppers policy in Canada: A call to action for evidence-based policy reform. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 115:104017. [PMID: 37028133 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
When inhaled, poppers products (alkyl nitrites) relax smooth muscle tissue and produce a pleasant "rush." As such, they are used by some gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (sexual minority men), including during anal intercourse. In 2013, Health Canada cracked down on poppers sales by introducing threats of fines and imprisonment and seizing poppers in stores and at the border. While no new legislation was introduced, Health Canada takes the position that poppers fall within the definition of a "drug" under the Food and Drugs Act because they "modify organic function" in humans. This crackdown has not prevented poppers use and has added harms related to an illicit and unregulated drug supply. In an effort to reduce harms and advance more equitable and public health-centred approaches to poppers drug policy, we discuss how a series of anticipated outcomes (accessibility, equity, consumer safety, commercial feasibility, and stigma) relate to the following alternative approaches to regulation: (1) poppers as a prescription medicine; (2) poppers as a non-prescription drug (likely accessible 'over-the-counter'); (3) poppers as a consumer product rather than just a medicine; and (4) ending the crackdown without legislative changes. To improve health equity and reduce harms among sexual minority men in a way that is politically and commercially feasible, we recommend the last approach-ending the crackdown without legislative changes-including ceasing the confiscation of poppers products in stores and at the border.
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Understanding the Service Needs and Preferences of Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Crystal Methamphetamine in British Columbia, Canada: a Qualitative Study. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00848-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Meiksin R, Melendez-Torres GJ, Falconer J, Witzel TC, Weatherburn P, Bonell C. Theories of change for e-health interventions targeting HIV/STIs and sexual risk, substance use and mental ill health amongst men who have sex with men: systematic review and synthesis. Syst Rev 2021; 10:21. [PMID: 33423693 PMCID: PMC7798186 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual risk, substance use, and mental ill health constitute a syndemic of co-occurring, mutually reinforcing epidemics amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). Developed since 1995, e-health interventions offer accessible, anonymous support and can be effective in addressing these outcomes, suggesting the potential value of developing e-health interventions that address these simultaneously amongst MSM. We conducted a systematic review of e-health interventions addressing one or more of these outcomes amongst MSM and in this paper describe the theories of change underpinning relevant interventions, what these offer and how they might complement each other. METHODS We identified eligible reports via expert requests, reference-checking and database and Google searches. Results were screened for reports published in 1995 or later; focused on MSM; reporting on e-health interventions providing ongoing support to prevent HIV/STIs, sexual risk behaviour, substance use, anxiety or depression; and describing intervention theories of change. Reviewers assessed report quality, extracted intervention and theory of change data, and developed a novel method of synthesis using diagrammatic representations of theories of change. RESULTS Thirty-three reports on 22 intervention theories of change were included, largely of low/medium-quality. Inductively grouping these theories according to their core constructs, we identified three distinct groupings of theorised pathways. In the largest, the 'cognitive/skills' grouping, interventions provide information and activities which are theorised to influence behaviour via motivation/intention and self-efficacy/perceived control. In the 'self-monitoring' grouping, interventions are theorised to trigger reflection, self-reward/critique and self-regulation. In the 'cognitive therapy' grouping, the theory of change is rooted in cognitive therapy techniques, aiming to reframe negative emotions to improve mental health. CONCLUSIONS The synthesised theories of change provide a framework for developing e-health interventions that might holistically address syndemic health problems amongst MSM. Improving reporting on theories of change in primary studies of e-health interventions would enable a better understanding of how they are intended to work and the evidence supporting this. The novel diagrammatic method of theory of change synthesis used here could be used for future reviews where interventions are driven by existing well-defined behaviour and behaviour change theories. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42018110317.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Meiksin
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - G J Melendez-Torres
- South Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2 LU, UK
| | - Jane Falconer
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - T Charles Witzel
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Peter Weatherburn
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Chris Bonell
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
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Li DJ, Chen SL, Yen CF. Multi-Dimensional Factors Associated with Illegal Substance Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16224476. [PMID: 31739410 PMCID: PMC6888045 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Illegal substance use in sexual minorities is an important health issue worldwide. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the multi-dimensional factors associated with illegal substance use among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. This questionnaire-survey study recruited 500 gay or bisexual men aged between 20 and 25 years. Their experiences of using eight kinds of illegal substances in the preceding month were collected. Their previous experiences of homophobic bullying, satisfaction with academic performance, truancy, perceived family and peer support in childhood and adolescence, and social-demographic characteristics, were also collected. Potential factors associated with illegal substance use were identified using univariate logistic regression, and further selected into a forward stepwise logistic regression model to identify the factors most significantly related to illegal substance use. A total of 22 (4.4%) participants reported illegal substance use in the preceding month, and mean age was 22.9 ± 1.6. Forward stepwise logistic regression revealed that being victims of homophobic cyberbullying in childhood and adolescence (odds ratio (OR) = 1.26; p = 0.011), disclosure of sexual orientation at junior high school (OR = 4.67; p = 0.001), and missing classes or truancy in senior high school (OR = 2.52; p = 0.041) were significantly associated with illegal substance use in early adulthood. Multi-dimensional factors in childhood and adolescence that were significantly associated with illegal substance use in early adulthood among gay and bisexual men were identified. Besides traditional bullying, the effect of cyberbullying and school performance on illegal substance use should not be ignored. This study is limited to the cross-sectional design and possible recall bias. Mental health professionals must routinely assess these significant factors to prevent and intervene in illegal substance use among gay and bisexual men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian-Jeng Li
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (D.-J.L.); (S.-L.C.)
- Department of Addiction Science, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital 80276, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Lan Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (D.-J.L.); (S.-L.C.)
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (D.-J.L.); (S.-L.C.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +(886)-7-3121101 (ext. 6822)
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Moore KL, Camacho D, Munson MR. Identity negotiation processes among Black and Latinx sexual minority young adult mental health service users. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN SOCIAL SERVICES 2019; 32:21-48. [PMID: 33223785 PMCID: PMC7678912 DOI: 10.1080/10538720.2019.1677542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The transition to adulthood presents particular challenges for Black and Latinx sexual minorities in need of mental health services. Identity formation and marginalization during this developmental period can interfere with help-seeking and lead to health disparities. Identity-specific psychosocial supports are needed to assist young adults to successfully navigate these challenges, but research on identity processes, help-seeking, and service-utilization among sexual minority young people of color is very limited. To better understand how multiple minority young people navigate their identities in the context of using, or choosing not to use, mental health services, this study qualitatively explored the experiences of 31 emerging adults. Through in-depth interviews, analyses revealed that young adults negotiated social identity norms about mental health help-seeking by separating from unhelpful norms, managing stigmatized aspects of identity, integrating helpful identity alternatives, and forming individualized perspectives on help-seeking that allowed them to maintain important connections to their minority group identities. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research on ethnic and sexual minority identity development and service utilization. Practice and research recommendations for increasing knowledge, improving help-seeking, and promoting resilience around young adults' intersectional identities are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiara L. Moore
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Camacho
- School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Reisner SL, Perez-Brumer A, Oldenburg CE, Gamarel KE, Malone J, Leung K, Mimiaga MJ, Rosenberger JG, Biello KB. Characterizing HIV risk among cisgender men in Latin America who report transgender women as sexual partners: HIV risk in Latin America men. Int J STD AIDS 2019; 30:378-385. [PMID: 30537903 PMCID: PMC9897015 DOI: 10.1177/0956462418802687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cisgender men (CM) who report transgender women (TW) as sexual partners are an understudied population in the HIV epidemic in Latin America. The current study sought to characterize this group in a 2012 cross-sectional online survey of Latin American CM who were members of a sexual networking website for men who have sex with men (N = 11,847). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to estimate demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates of having a TW sexual partner and engaging in condomless sex. Overall, 0.9% (n = 106) reported a TW sexual partner in the last 12 months; of these, 76.4% (n = 81) reported condomless sex in the last three months. Identifying as bisexual or heterosexual compared to gay, and specifying a versatile sexual role preference compared to insertive were associated with reporting a recent TW sex partner (all p < 0.05). HIV-negative serostatus, lifetime STI history, and alcohol dependence were associated with recent condomless sex (all p < 0.05). CM with TW sexual partners have distinct HIV-related vulnerabilities. Future research is needed to understand CM who report TW sexual partners, including their sexual preferences and practices, sexual networks, exposure to stigma, biomedical prevention interest and uptake, and acceptability of integrating alcohol abuse screening into sexual health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari L Reisner
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Kristi E Gamarel
- Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jowanna Malone
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD
| | - Kingsley Leung
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD
| | - Matthew J Mimiaga
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Joshua G Rosenberger
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Katie B. Biello
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University, Providence, RI
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Filice E, Meyer SB. Patterns, predictors, and outcomes of mental health service utilization among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals: A scoping review. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN MENTAL HEALTH 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2017.1418468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Filice
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samantha B. Meyer
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Goyette M, Flores-Aranda J, Bertrand K, Pronovost F, Aubut V, Ortiz R, Saint-Jacques M. Links SU-Sex: development of a screening tool for health-risk sexual behaviours related to substance use among men who have sex with men. Sex Health 2018; 15:160-166. [DOI: 10.1071/sh17134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have distinctive substance use (SU), which is more often linked to a sexual context than it is for their heterosexual peers. Screening of MSM’s SU, its sexual contexts and the associated risks, is of clinical and public health concern. This paper aims to describe the preliminary development of a screening tool for health-risk sexual behaviours related to SU and to make recommendations for its potential use. Methods: Community-based participatory research and transdisciplinary approaches guided the development process. The Links SU-Sex screening tool is the result of the integration of findings from a scoping review and from four meetings among SU and sexual health experts (n = 19), consisting of researchers, community stakeholders, as well as substance-using MSM. Results: The Links SU-Sex questionnaire consists of 64 items divided into 13 components that focus on the links between SU and sexual health. It addresses the contexts in which SU occurs, its frequency, its perceived influence, as well as MSM’s concerns about these various links. In accordance with current knowledge, the interpretation of the instrument offers feedback that is based on the respondents’ answers to the various components assessed. Conclusions: The Links SU-Sex represents a potential screening tool that rests on a robust development process supporting its content validity that aims to identify MSM at risk or with concerns surrounding the influence of their SU on their sexual health. The psychometric qualities and the interpretation validity both remain to be established.
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