Background: Circuit parties (CPs) annually attract hundreds of thousands of gay/bisexual men and are growing in popularity. Allegedly, high rates of drug use and sexual risk are associated with CPs. This paper presents information on CPs, describes party attendees, and examines motivators and predictors of attending parties. Methods: Participants were 294 men in San Francisco who attended a CP in the past year. Gay/bisexual men were recruited through active (clubs, gyms) and passive (flyers, ads) outreach. 31% identified as men of color (who were oversampled); median age was 32; 17% reported being HIV+. Results: Median number of parties attended in the past year was 3; median number of years since first CP was 3. Overall, 86% used a drug besides alcohol and 59% had anal sex (30% had unprotected anal sex [UA]) during recent CP weekends. Strongest motivators for attending CPs were to listen/dance to music and to be with friends. In multivariate analysis, the most consistent predictor of party attendance frequency was drug use (self-rated motivation and behavioral measure); sex was not a significant predictor. 25% experienced a drug “incident” or unintentional overdose in the past year (of which 28% had an “incident” at a CP), with the drugs GHB (53%) and Ketamine (45%) cited most often. Conclusions: Drug use is prevalent during CP weekends and is a primary motivator and predictor of party attendance. Although sex is not a motivator or predictor of attendance, UA may be a concern. Drug and sexual risk-reduction programs are needed for CP attendees.
Learning Objectives: Learn about HIV sexual risk behavior and drug use of gay and bisexual men at circuit parties, including demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral predictors of sexual risk and drug use. Learn about differences in risk behavior associated with local and distant circuit parties, including differences in salience and use of risk reduction materials available at parties
Keywords: Gay Men, Culture
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.