This report explores the association between abuse of methamphetamine, high-risk behaviors, and HIV-status among a sample of gay and bisexual men in Los Angeles. A 12-page admission form was distributed to 163 gay and bisexual men seeking treatment for methamphetamine abuse in the Hollywood area at the Friends Health Center as part of an ongoing NIDA-funded research project. The information covered by the admission form includes: age, self-reported sexual orientation, detailed history of methamphetamine use, self-reported HIV-status, and history of high-risk sexual behaviors. The objective of this report is to compare the differences in risk behaviors among those men who were known to be HIV-positive (n=93) and those men who were HIV-negative (n=64). Results indicated that among this population, men who reported being HIV-positive were significantly more likely to report that their use of crystal was always associated with sexual behavior (62.37%) and also were significantly more likely to report injection as a route of admission for methamphetamine (48.38%). Among HIV-negative men, 43.75% [÷2 (1)=8.73, p=.004] indicated that crystal use was always associated with sexual behavior and 25% reported any injection behaviors [÷2 (1)=5.95, p=.022]. Those who reported higher rates of high-risk behaviors related to their methamphetamine use were more likely to report being HIV-positive. Those men who were injectors were also twice as likely to always combine methamphetamine use and sexual behavior compared with non-injectors. Methamphetamine abuse and its strong association with high-risk sexual and drug use behaviors represent an important public health problem for gay and bisexual men.
Learning Objectives: To understand the association between methamphetamine and high-risk behaviors among gay and bisexual men in Los Angeles.
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Gay Men
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Friends Health Center, Los Angeles, CA
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.