311758
Childhood abuse, discrimination, and mental distress as risk factors for high levels of substance use and sexual risk behaviors among substance using YMSM
Methods:Analyses included 191 YMSM in Philadelphia (ages 18-29), who reported misusing prescription drugs in the past 6 months.
Results:Participants who self-identified as bisexual/heterosexual were more likely to report higher levels of opioids and tranquilizers misuse (p<0.001), illicit drug use (p<0.05), but less likely to engage in UAI (p<0.05) than participants self-identified as gay/homosexual. Caucasian participants were more likely to report higher levels of stimulants misuse (p<0.001), and illicit drug use (p<0.05) than their racial minority peers. In a bivariate analysis, experiences of childhood abuse, discrimination, and mental health stress were strongly associated with increased levels of prescription drug misuse, illicit drug use, and sexual risk behaviors. In multivariable models, controlling for demographics, childhood abuse was associated with higher opioids (OR=1.12) and tranquilizers (OR=1.13) misuse. Additionally, stress remained associated with increased opioids misuse (OR=1.06), while somatization, and experiences of racism were associated with illicit drug use (OR=1.03, OR=1.13, respectively). Further analyses indicated that illicit drug use mediates the impact of stressors on increased number of sex partners.
Conclusions:Associations of stressors with substance use, and sexual risk behaviors among YMSM are complex, offering opportunities for additional research. Our findings indicate that risk behaviors in YMSM must be addressed in sync with psychosocial stressors by prevention programs.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related researchSocial and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify factors contributing to high substance use and sexual risk behaviors among high-risk YMSM;
Discuss implications for developing future prevention programs targeting drug use among YMSM.
Keyword(s): Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse, HIV Risk Behavior
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator on this study funded by the NIDA. I am a doctoral candidate at the Drexel University School of Public Health. My work focuses on understanding a role of social environments in adverse health outcomes for LGBT and other populations at risk. I am continuing to build on my previous training and work in substance use by conducting research on sexual-orientation disparities in health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
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.