5039.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 10

Abstract #6510

Drugs, alcohol, and risky sex among Seattle area young MSM

Hanne Thiede, DVM, MPH and Thomas Perdue, BS. HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 106 Prefontaine Place South, Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 296-7879, hanne.thiede@metrokc.gov

Objective. To assess the relationship between being high or buzzed on drugs or alcohol during sex and high-risk sexual behaviors among young men who sex with men (YMSM) in the Seattle area. Methods. YMSM were sampled in the Seattle area 10/97-10/98 as part of the CDC Young Men's Survey (YMS). YMS is a cross-sectional probability sampling HIV prevalence and risk behavior survey of YMSM aged 15 to 22 who attend public venues frequented by YMSM. The associations between being high or buzzed on drugs or alcohol and sexual risk behaviors (number of male sex partners, type and gender of sex partners, and unprotected sex) were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. Of 319 YMSM who had sex with another man in the past 6 months, 200 (63%) reported being high or buzzed on drugs or alcohol during sex in this time period. Those who reported this behavior were more likely to be older (19-22 vs 15-18 years; adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.7; 95% CI 1.6-4.7), report 4 or more male sex partners (AOR=2.3; 95% CI 1.3-3.9), report unprotected receptive anal sex (AOR=1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.2), and report unprotected vaginal sex (AOR=5.9; 95% CI 1.9-18.1). Conclusions. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during sex was associated with higher number of male sex partners, and unprotected sex with both male and female partners among YMSM in the Seattle area. These findings suggest that HIV and STD prevention efforts need to more strongly emphasize drug and alcohol use and its consequences.

Learning Objectives: 1. List risky sexual behaviors related to sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a sample of young MSM. 2. Recognize how results from the Young Men's Survey might be useful for HIV prevention planning

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Drug Use

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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA