Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106907

José E. Nanín, EdD, CHES, Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 250 West 26th Street, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001, 2122067919 x268, jnanin@hunter.cuny.edu and Jeffrey T. Parsons, PhD, Psychology Department, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021.

Background: In New York City, new social marketing campaigns are being implemented in response to increased use of ecstasy, crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, GHB, and cocaine among gay/bisexual men. Empirical research studies have provided evidence of a relationship between use of these drugs, collectively known as “party” or “club” drugs, and rising prevalence of unsafe sexual behaviors, leading to increased HIV incidence.

Methods: Recent studies at our research center revealed growing prevalence of club drug use and unsafe sexual behaviors among gay/bisexual men in New York City. For example, in the fall of 2002, a brief intercept survey examining issues of sex, love, and health was administered to a sample of 786 ethnically diverse single and non-monogamous gay- and bisexually-identified men at a gay-oriented event.

Results: Crystal users were more likely to report unprotected anal sex with men of HIV-negative or unknown status within the last 3 months before survey administration (OR = 3.47, CI = 1.81-6.64, p = 000). In addition, HIV-positive men having unprotected insertive anal sex with partners of HIV-negative or unknown status were more likely to use GHB (OR = 3.56, CI = 1.54-8.18, p = 003) when compared to other club drugs. HIV-negative men having unprotected receptive anal sex with HIV-positive or unknown status partners were more likely to use crystal methamphetamine (OR = 5.06, CI = 2.74-9.37, p = 000).

Conclusions: These data imply a need for creative educational interventions as well as effective clinical strategies to address behavior change needs of this population.

Learning Objectives: