Methamphetamine and young men who have sex with men: Understanding patterns and correlates of use, and the association with HIV-related sexual risk

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

4315.0: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 5:00 PM

Abstract #151025

Robert Garofalo, MD, MPH¹, Brian Mustanski, PhD², Geri R. Donenberg, PhD², David McKirnan, PhD³, and Amy Herrick, MA⁴. (1) Howard Brown Health Center/Children's Memorial Hospital, 4025 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-388-8661, robg@howardbrown.org, (2) Dept. of Psychiatry, Institute for Juvenile Research, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608, (3) Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 4025 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613, (4) Dept. of Community and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 6644 Landview Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Background: A strong association has emerged between methamphetamine use, high-risk sex and HIV acquisition among adult MSM. A paucity of research has explored these issues among adolescent and young adult MSM (YMSM) despite their high-risk for both HIV infection and substance use. Therefore, this study examines methamphetamine use and its association with HIV-related sexual risk in a community-based sample of YMSM age 16-24. Methods: 310 urban, ethnically-diverse participants were recruited from multiple community-based sources. A computer-assisted, confidential survey was administered in private at a community-based health center providing medical care and social services to the LGBT community. Factors associated with methamphetamine use and HIV-related sexual risk were assessed with Χ² and hierarchical logistic regression. Results: Participants ranged in age from 16-24 years (M=20.3, SD=2.4); 70% from communities of color. Thirteen percent used methamphetamine in the past year. Methamphetamine use was more common among HIV-infected participants, odds ratio (OR) = 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-5.3, and varied by age and race/ethnicity; substantially higher prevalence was reported by older and non-Black YMSM (p<0.001). Hierarchical regression modeling identified sexual risk (unprotected anal intercourse and multiple anal sex partners), sexualized social context (e.g. internet sex, sex in a bathhouse/sex club, sex with older partners, and commercial sex), lower self-esteem and psychological distress as correlated with methamphetamine use (p<0.05) among participants. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of YMSM in this sample use methamphetamine. Methamphetamine use was associated with HIV-related risk and patterns of use were correlated with demographics, sexualized social contexts, and psychological variables.

Learning Objectives:

Describe patterns and correlates of methamphetamine use in adolescent and young adult MSM
Discuss the role of methamphetamine and other substance use in the HIVrelated sexual risk behaviors of adolescent and young adult MSM
Identify opporunities for targeted HIV prevention efforts in adolescent and young adult MSM.

Keywords: Adolescents, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

LGBT Youth Research

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA