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del Pozo-Herce P, Baca-García E, Martínez-Sabater A, Chover-Sierra E, Gea-Caballero V, Curto-Ramos J, Czapla M, Karniej P, Martínez-Tofe J, Sánchez-Barba M, de Viñaspre RR, Juárez-Vela R. Descriptive study on substance uses and risk of sexually transmitted infections in the practice of Chemsex in Spain. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1391390. [PMID: 38799691 PMCID: PMC11121992 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1391390] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, there has been an increasing use of sex-related substances (known as "Chemsex") to facilitate, intensify, and prolong the sexual experience of men who have sex with men. This phenomenon poses a public health problem, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and mental disorders. Objective The primary aim of this study was to delve into the correlation between substance use and sexual health, specifically examining the association between different substances used and the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the context of Chemsex in Spain. Methods An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 563 Spanish participants between January and April 2023. Non-probabilistic purposive sampling was used by the investigators. The researchers administered a questionnaire to men who have sex with men who use substances, especially in the sexual sphere, in all the autonomous communities of Spain. Results 14.7% reported having practiced slamsex in the last year, and 17.94% were diagnosed with a Sexually Transmitted Infection in the previous 6 months. Of these, 21% were on PREP treatment, with the main STIs being gonorrhea (p < 0.001), chlamydia (p < 0.001), genital herpes (p = 0.020), and syphilis (p < 0.001). The 63.7% used methamphetamines as the main drug in the practice of chemsex. Discussion Chemsex in Spain is linked to a high prevalence of STIs, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, even among those on PrEP treatment. The use of various drugs during chemsex, such as amyl nitrite, GHB, ecstasy, and others, correlates with higher rates of STIs, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce risk and harm. The drugs most associated with slamsex include ketamine, mephedrone, and methamphetamine, underscoring the importance of addressing the risk behaviors associated with this activity. Conclusion This study shows that chemsex appears to be associated with a high prevalence among men who have sex with men. Who use multiple substances in a sexual context, and are particularly exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), indicating a particular need for STI prevention and care in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo del Pozo-Herce
- Department of Psychiatry, Fundación Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Baca-García
- Department of Psychiatry, Fundación Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Martínez-Sabater
- Nursing Department, Nursing Care and Education Research Group (GRIECE), Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Care Research Group (INCLIVA), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elena Chover-Sierra
- Nursing Department, Nursing Care and Education Research Group (GRIECE), Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Internal Medicine, Consorci Hospital University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Gea-Caballero
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Group Community Health and Care, International University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Curto-Ramos
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michal Czapla
- Department of Emergency Medical Service, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Group in Care, University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Piotr Karniej
- Faculty of Finance and Management, WSB University in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jesús Martínez-Tofe
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Group in Care, University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Mercedes Sánchez-Barba
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Regina Ruiz de Viñaspre
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Group in Care, University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Raúl Juárez-Vela
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Group in Care, University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Institute of Salamanca, Prevention and Early Intervention in Mental Health, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Carezzato F, Falcão de Arruda I, Petrus Monteiro Figueiredo C, Castaldelli-Maia JM. Women and MDMA: particularities of gender and sex. Int Rev Psychiatry 2023; 35:461-467. [PMID: 38299658 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2023.2250867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the intricate interplay between gender/sex and MDMA use, drawing upon recent evidence. It explores how girls, as a means of coping with negative emotions, often resort to drug use, while boys primarily initiate drug use due to peer pressure or sensation-seeking tendencies. Women, frequently having endured traumatic life events, may turn to MDMA as a form of self-medication. Notably, women face an elevated risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections due to their altered mental states and diminished condom use during MDMA consumption. Additionally, females exhibit heightened sensitivity to the subjective effects of MDMA, consistently reporting heightened anxiety, adverse effects, and negative side effects. While women may have a higher susceptibility to hyponatremia, intriguingly, they appear to be less vulnerable to MDMA-induced hyperthermia. Although limited, available data suggest that prenatal MDMA exposure could lead to motor delays in infants, necessitating further research to unravel the potential cognitive effects. Furthermore, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy holds immense promise for addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among female subgroups. These pronounced gender and sex disparities in MDMA use and its effects underscore the pressing need for additional research to develop tailored, effective, and safe treatment approaches that account for these fundamental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Carezzato
- Perdizes Institute (IPer), Clinics Hospital (HCFMUSP), Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ilana Falcão de Arruda
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André - SP, Brazil
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López de Juan Abad P, Arcos-Romero AI. Substance Use in Sexual Relationships: Association with Sexual Assertiveness and Sexual Satisfaction. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13645. [PMID: 36294225 PMCID: PMC9603347 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main objective was to examine sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction in people who have sex under the influence of alcohol and drugs, considering the type of substance consumed, the frequency of consumption, gender, and sexual orientation. METHODS The sample consisted of 274 adults who had sexual relationships consuming substances. A questionnaire composed of sociodemographic, sexual history and substance use items, the Sexual Assertiveness Scale and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction were administered. RESULTS Gender differences were found in sexual assertiveness and in the frequency of substance use. Women reported greater sexual assertiveness and greater alcohol consumption. Men reported greater consumption of different types of substances. Furthermore, bisexual participants showed greater assertiveness and STI prevention. Homosexual participants reported a higher frequency of the consumption of poppers, mephedrone, and GBL/GHB. Sexual assertiveness was associated with sexual satisfaction. Greater consumption of some types of substances was related to sexual assertiveness, STI prevention, and sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS The association found between sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction in a specific context of substance use in sexual relationships corroborates the important role that these psychosexual variables have in sexual health, in view of the frequency and type of drug consumed, gender, and sexual orientation.
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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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