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Tardelli VS, Fidalgo TM, Martins SS. Z-Drug Use and Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among LGB Populations: The Role of Psychological Distress. J Addict Med 2024; 18:437-442. [PMID: 38557937 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Z-drugs (hypnotics such as zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon) and benzodiazepines (BZDs) are sedative medications with misuse liability. The goals of this study are to report the (1) prevalence of past-year any Z-drug use, any BZD use, and any BZD misuse by sexual identity category and psychological distress; (2) associations among these 3 categories between sexual identity and past-year psychological distress; (3) associations among these 3 categories with sexual identity by past-year psychological distress status. METHODS Data were collected from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (years 2015-2019 [n = 210,392]), a yearly representative national household survey of the American population. We report prevalences of any Z-drug use, any BZD use, and any BZD misuse by sexual identity and past-year psychological distress status. We ran logistic regressions with complex survey design with the 3 dichotomous variables described above as the dependent variables, stratified and not-stratified by psychological distress. RESULTS Prevalence of any Z-drug an BZD use and any BZD misuse were higher among LGB (lesbian/gay/bisexual) populations, especially gay men and bisexual women. Psychological distress was positively associated with any Z-drug and BZD use and any BZD misuse. Women were at higher risk of Z-drug (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.37) and BZD use (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.55-1.73), but lower risk of BZD misuse (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88). When stratifying by psychological distress, differences between LGB and heterosexuals were more pronounced among those without past-year psychological distress, especially gay men and bisexual women. CONCLUSIONS The presence of psychological distress attenuates the disparities between LGB and heterosexual individuals in Z-drug use and BZD use and misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor S Tardelli
- From the Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (VST, TMF); and Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY (SSM)
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Flentje A, Sunder G, Ceja A, Lisha NE, Neilands TB, Aouizerat BE, Lubensky ME, Capriotti MR, Dastur Z, Lunn MR, Obedin-Maliver J. Substance Use Over Time Among Sexual and Gender Minority People: Differences at the Intersection of Sex and Gender. LGBT Health 2024; 11:269-281. [PMID: 38206680 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are at greater risk for substance use than heterosexual and cisgender people, but most prior work is limited by cross-sectional analyses or the examination of single substance use. This study examined substance use over time among SGM people to identify patterns of polysubstance use at the intersection of sex and gender. Methods: Data were collected annually over 4 years from SGM respondents (n = 11,822) in The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study. Differences in substance use patterns (any prior 30-day use of 15 substances) by gender subgroup were examined with latent class analysis, and multinomial regression models tested relationships between gender subgroup and substance use. Results: Eight classes of substance use were observed. The three most common patterns were low substance use (49%), heavy episodic alcohol use (≥5 alcoholic drinks on one occasion) with some cannabis and tobacco use (14%), and cannabis use with some tobacco and declining heavy episodic alcohol use (13%). Differences observed included lower odds of patterns defined by heavy episodic alcohol use with some cannabis and tobacco use in all gender subgroups relative to cisgender men and persons with low substance use (odds ratios [ORs] 0.26-0.60). Gender expansive people assigned female at birth, gender expansive people assigned male at birth, and transgender men had greater odds of reporting cannabis use with small percentages of heavy episodic alcohol and tobacco use (ORs: 1.41-1.60). Conclusion: This study suggests that there are unique patterns of polysubstance use over time among gender subgroups of SGM people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annesa Flentje
- Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Alliance Health Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gowri Sunder
- Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alexis Ceja
- Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nadra E Lisha
- Center for Tobacco Control and Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Torsten B Neilands
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bradley E Aouizerat
- College of Dentistry, Translational Research Center, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Micah E Lubensky
- Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Matthew R Capriotti
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences, San José State University, San José, California, USA
| | - Zubin Dastur
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mitchell R Lunn
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Juno Obedin-Maliver
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Coulaud PJ, Chayama KL, Schwartz C, Purdie A, Lysyshyn M, Ti L, Knight R. Implementation opportunities and challenges to piloting a community-based drug-checking intervention for sexual and gender minority men in Vancouver, Canada: a qualitative study. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:87. [PMID: 38678256 PMCID: PMC11055362 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01004-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to the overdose crisis, a collaborative group of two community-based organizations, a health authority and a research institute in Vancouver, Canada, implemented a pilot community-based drug checking (CBDC) intervention for sexual and gender minority (SGM) men. This study identified key factors that influenced the implementation of the CBDC intervention, including opportunities and challenges. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven pertinent parties involved in the CBDC, including policymakers, researchers and representatives from community-based organizations. These interviews were coded and analyzed using domains and constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS While drug-related stigma was identified as a challenge to deliver drug checking services, participants described the context of the overdose crisis as a key facilitator to engage collaboration between relevant organizations (e.g., health authorities, medical health officers, community organizations) to design, resource and implement the CBDC intervention. The implementation of the CBDC intervention was also influenced by SGM-specific needs and resources (e.g., lack of information about the drug supply). The high level of interest of SGM organizations in providing harm reduction services combined with the need to expand drug checking into community spaces represented two key opportunities for the CBDC intervention. Here, SGM organizations were recognized as valued partners that fostered a broader culture of harm reduction. Participants' emphasis that knowing the composition of one's drugs is a "right to know", particularly in the context of a highly contaminated illicit drug market, emerged as a key implementation factor. Lastly, participants emphasized the importance of involving SGM community groups at all stages of the implementation process to ensure that the CBDC intervention is appropriately tailored to SGM men. CONCLUSIONS The context of the overdose crisis and the involvement of SGM organizations were key facilitators to the implementation of a drug checking intervention in SGM community spaces. This study offers contextualized understandings about how SGM knowledge and experiences can contribute to implement tailored drug checking interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Julien Coulaud
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Koharu Loulou Chayama
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cameron Schwartz
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aaron Purdie
- Health Initiative for Men, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mark Lysyshyn
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lianping Ti
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rod Knight
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Bonomo JA, Luo K, Ramallo JA. LGBTQ+ cardiovascular health equity: a brief review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1350603. [PMID: 38510198 PMCID: PMC10951381 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1350603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Data shows that social drivers of health (SDOH), including economic stability, racial/cultural identity, and community, have a significant impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender and sexual minority) patients face a variety of unique health risk factors and bear a disproportionate burden of CVD compared to cis-gender, heterosexual peers. There is a paucity of research assessing the etiologies of CVD health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community. Herein, we seek to explore existing literature on LGBTQ+ health disparities with a focus on cardiovascular disease, examine trends impacting LGBTQ+ health equity, and identify strategies and interventions that aim to promote LGBTQ+ cardiovascular health equity on a regional and national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Bonomo
- Inova Scar Heart and Vascular, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, United States
| | - Kate Luo
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Jorge A. Ramallo
- Inova Pride Clinic, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, United States
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Schuler MS, Collins RL, Ramchand R. Disparities in Use/Misuse of Specific Illicit and Prescription Drugs among Sexual Minority Adults in a National Sample. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:461-471. [PMID: 35067155 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.2019776] [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: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background: Compared to heterosexual adults, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults have higher rates of any illicit drug use and any prescription drug misuse, yet disparities regarding specific drugs remain poorly characterized. Methods: We examined disparities by sexual identity and sex for 8 illicit and prescription drugs using 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. Outcomes included past-year use/misuse of cocaine/crack, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamine, heroin, prescription opioids, prescription stimulants, prescription tranquilizers/sedatives, and level of polydrug use/misuse (2 substances; 3+ substances). For each outcome, odds ratios relative to heterosexual adults of same sex were estimated using logistic regression controlling for demographics; significant estimates were interpreted as a disparity. Results: Among gay men, significant disparities were present for all drugs except prescription stimulants and heroin; inhalant use was particularly elevated. Bisexual women exhibited significant disparities for every drug examined, as did bisexual men (except heroin). Among lesbian/gay women, disparities were only present for prescription opioids and stimulants. Relative to heterosexual peers, use of 3+ substances was 3 times higher among gay men and bisexual women and 2 times higher among bisexual men. Conclusions: Consistent with minority stress theory, prevalences of illicit and prescription drug use/misuse were 2-3 times higher among LGB adults than heterosexual adults. Illicit drug use should not be perceived as only impacting gay/bisexual men - bisexual women had similar - or higher - prevalences of hallucinogen, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin use. Yet, in contrast to bisexual women, lesbian/gay women did not exhibit disparities for any illicit drugs.
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Roth EA, Cui Z, Armstrong HL, Rich AJ, Lachowsky NJ, Sereda P, Card KG, Bacani N, Moore D, Hogg R. Longitudinal Analysis of HIV Risk and Substance Use Patterns for Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men Only. JOURNAL OF BISEXUALITY 2021; 21:405-423. [PMID: 35935471 PMCID: PMC9355115 DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2021.1982102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (MSMW) experience discrimination from same-sex and heterosexual communities partially because of perceptions they feature high-risk sexual behavior, elevated polysubstance use levels, and constitute an HIV bridge population. We used a longitudinal multivariate generalized linear mixed model comparing sexual risk and substance use patterns for Men Who Have Sex with Men Only (MSMO) with MSMW in the same cohort study. Data consisted of 771 men reporting 3,705 sexual partnerships from 2012-2017. For high-risk sexual behavior multivariate results showed non-significant (p>0.05) differences for partner number and commercial sex work, and significantly less (p<0.05) HIV prevalence and condomless anal sex. However, MSMW had significantly higher levels of hallucinogen and prescription opioid use, and substance treatment histories. Only one HIV-positive MSMW had a transmittable viral load, negating the concept of an HIV bridge population. Results indicate the need for additional longitudinal studies comparing MSMO and MSMW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Abella Roth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Heather L Armstrong
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ashleigh J Rich
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kiffer G Card
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nic Bacani
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David Moore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Kinitz DJ, Salway T, Kia H, Ferlatte O, Rich AJ, Ross LE. Health of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing poverty in Canada: a review. Health Promot Int 2021; 37:6306809. [PMID: 34148086 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (2SLGBTQ+) people are disproportionately represented among those experiencing poverty. Both 2SLGBTQ+ people and people experiencing poverty face poorer health outcomes and greater difficulty accessing healthcare. Evidence of intersectional impacts of 2SLGBTQ+ status and poverty on health can help to inform economic and health policy. The objective of this review is to determine what is known about the health of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada experiencing poverty. Following the PRISMA framework, we searched and summarized Canadian literature on 2SLGBTQ+ poverty indexed in Medline, Sociological Abstracts, PsycInfo and EconList (N = 33). 2SLGBTQ+ poverty-related literature remains sparse but is expanding as illustrated by the fact that most (31/33) studies were published in the past decade. Half the studies analysed poverty as a focal variable and half as a covariate. Intersectionality theory assists in understanding the three health-related themes identified-healthcare access, physical health and mental health and substance use-as these outcomes are shaped by intersecting social structures that result in unique forms of discrimination. Those at the intersection of poverty and 2SLGBTQ+ status face poorer health outcomes than other 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada. Discrimination was an overarching finding that explained persistent associations between 2SLGBTQ+ status, poverty and health. Research that directly interrogated the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ populations experiencing poverty was sparse. In particular, there is a need to conduct research on underrepresented 2SLGBTQ+ sub-groups who are disproportionately impacted by poverty, including transgender, bisexual and two-spirit populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Kinitz
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Travis Salway
- Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Hannah Kia
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olivier Ferlatte
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal and Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ashleigh J Rich
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lori E Ross
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Saxton PJW, McAllister SM, Noller GE, Newcombe DAL, Leafe KA. Injecting drug use among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand: Findings from national human immunodeficiency virus epidemiological and behavioural surveillance. Drug Alcohol Rev 2020; 39:365-374. [PMID: 32101629 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Gay and bisexual men (GBM) who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of dual transmission risks. New Zealand has a progressive history of harm reduction and was the first country to publicly fund needle exchange programs in 1988 for people who inject drugs (PWID). We combine national HIV epidemiological and bio-behavioural surveillance data to understand HIV risk among this subpopulation. DESIGN AND METHODS We examine trends in new HIV diagnoses 1996-2018 by mode of transmission, and compare HIV cases attributed to sex between men (MSM-only), MSM/injecting drug use (IDU) and IDU-only. IDU among GBM in a national HIV behavioural surveillance survey was also examined. We compare GBM by IDU status (never, 'recent', previous) and identified predictors of recent IDU. RESULTS Of 1653 locally-acquired HIV diagnoses 1996-2018, 77.4% were MSM-only, 1.5% MSM/IDU, 1.4% IDU-only and 14.2% heterosexual mode of transmission. On average, just one HIV diagnosis attributed to MSM/IDU and IDU, respectively, occurred per annum. MSM/IDU cases were more likely than MSM-only cases to be indigenous Māori ethnicity. Of 3163 GBM survey participants, 5.4% reported lifetime IDU and 1.2% were recent IDU. Among GBM, HIV positivity was 20% among recent IDU and 5.3% among never injectors. Predictors of recent IDU were: age under 30; more than 20 male partners; female partner; condomless intercourse; HIV positivity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION New Zealand has averted high endemic HIV rates seen among GBM and PWID in other countries and results have been sustained over 30 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J W Saxton
- Gay Men's Sexual Health Research Group, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Susan M McAllister
- AIDS Epidemiology Group, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey E Noller
- Needle Exchange Services Trust, New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - David A L Newcombe
- Centre for Addiction Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Vaccher SJ, Hammoud MA, Bourne A, Lea T, Haire BG, Holt M, Saxton P, Mackie B, Badge J, Jin F, Maher L, Prestage G. Prevalence, frequency, and motivations for alkyl nitrite use among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Australia. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 76:102659. [PMID: 31927224 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.102659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) use alkyl nitrites ('poppers') at higher rates than other populations to functionally enhance sexual experiences. Their use has been associated with HIV sexual risk behaviours including receptive anal sex. We investigate the prevalence, frequency, and motivations for poppers use and their relationship with HIV risk. We also discuss the implications of the recent scheduling changes to poppers by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. METHODS Data were drawn from the Following Lives Undergoing Change (Flux) study, a prospective observational study of licit and illicit drug use among GBM. Between 2014 and 2018, 3273 GBM enrolled in the study. In 2018, 1745 GBM provided data relating to frequency of and motivations for poppers use and were included in this analysis. RESULTS Median age was 33 years (IQR 25-46) and 801 GBM (45.9%) had used poppers in the previous six months ('recent use'). Among these men, 195 (24.3%) had used them weekly or more frequently. Most recent users (77.4%) reported using poppers for a 'buzz' during sex or to facilitate receptive anal intercourse (60.8%). The majority (57.7%) of HIV-negative men reporting recent poppers use were concurrently taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Recent poppers use was independently associated with receptive anal intercourse with casual partners (aOR 1.71; 95%CI 1.35-2.16) and chemsex (aOR 4.32; 95%CI 3.15-5.94). Poppers use was not associated with anxiety, depression, or drug-related harms. Only 15.4% of current users indicated they would stop using poppers if they were criminalised; 65.0% said they would 'find other ways' to obtain them. CONCLUSIONS Poppers are commonly used by Australian GBM to functionally enhance sexual experiences, particularly to facilitate receptive anal intercourse. Few men experienced drug-related harms from poppers use. Regulatory changes must ensure potential harms from popper use are minimised without increasing barriers to access or perpetuating stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie J Vaccher
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Mohamed A Hammoud
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.
| | - Toby Lea
- German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 79-81, 50668 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Bridget G Haire
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Martin Holt
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Peter Saxton
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
| | - Brent Mackie
- ACON, 414 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Joshua Badge
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Fengyi Jin
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Lisa Maher
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Garrett Prestage
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Varfi N, Rothen S, Jasiowka K, Lepers T, Bianchi-Demicheli F, Khazaal Y. Sexual Desire, Mood, Attachment Style, Impulsivity, and Self-Esteem as Predictive Factors for Addictive Cybersex. JMIR Ment Health 2019; 6:e9978. [PMID: 30664470 PMCID: PMC6360388 DOI: 10.2196/mental.9978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies are concerned with various aspects of cybersex addiction, the difficulty some persons have in limiting cybersex use despite a negative impact on everyday life. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess potential links between the outcome variable cybersex addiction, assessed with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) adapted for cybersex use, and several psychological and psychopathological factors, including sexual desire, mood, attachment style, impulsivity, and self-esteem, by taking into account the age, sex, and sexual orientation of cybersex users. METHODS A Web-based survey was conducted in which participants were assessed for sociodemographic variables and with the following instruments: CIUS adapted for cybersex use, Sexual Desire Inventory, and Short Depression-Happiness Scale. Moreover, attachment style was assessed with the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire (Anxiety and Avoidance subscales). Impulsivity was measured by using the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency Impulsive Behavior Scale. Global self-esteem was assessed with the 1-item Self-Esteem Scale. RESULTS A sample of 145 subjects completed the study. Addictive cybersex use was associated with higher levels of sexual desire, depressive mood, avoidant attachment style, and male gender but not with impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS Addictive cybersex use is a function of sexual desire, depressive mood, and avoidant attachment.
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Rich AJ, Armstrong HL, Cui Z, Sereda P, Lachowsky NJ, Moore DM, Hogg RS, Roth EA. Sexual orientation measurement, bisexuality, and mental health in a sample of men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada. JOURNAL OF BISEXUALITY 2018; 18:299-317. [PMID: 31462896 PMCID: PMC6713462 DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2018.1518181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study used a validated index (i.e., Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) to measure anxiety and depression (caseness score: ≥8) among men who have sex with men recruited via respondent-driven sampling in Vancouver, Canada (n=774), and investigated whether differences in mental health outcomes varied by sexual orientation measure (i.e., identity, attraction, behavior). Of the sample, 15.5% identified as bisexual, 33.4% reported any bisexual attraction, and 22.7% reported any bisexual sexual activity. More bisexual than gay men met the case definition for anxiety and depression, across all sexual orientation measures. In adjusted multivariable models, bisexual men had higher odds of anxiety by attraction and identity and higher odds of depression by identity. Findings highlight the value of measuring multiple sexual orientation dimensions in surveys and routine surveillance, and the need to ensure sexual minority groups and sexual orientation dimensions are not considered commensurate for mental health prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh J. Rich
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Epidemiology & Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Heather L. Armstrong
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Epidemiology & Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- Epidemiology & Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- Epidemiology & Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nathan J. Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - David M. Moore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Epidemiology & Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Robert S. Hogg
- Epidemiology & Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Eric A. Roth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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