scholarly journals Low levels of chemsex among men who have sex with men, but high levels of risk among men who engage in chemsex: analysis of a cross-sectional online survey across four countries

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Frankis ◽  
Paul Flowers ◽  
Lisa McDaid ◽  
Adam Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
First Time

Background This paper establishes the prevalence of chemsex drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM), the extent to which these drugs are used in a sexual context, as well as their associated behaviours and circumstances of use. Methods: Data from a cross-sectional, online survey of 2328 MSM recruited via gay sociosexual media in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were analysed. Results: While almost half (48.8%) of participants had ever taken illicit drugs, lifetime chemsex drug use was less common (18.0%) and far fewer reported chemsex drug use in the last year (8.2%) or last 4 weeks (3.0%). Just over one-quarter (27.1%) of men who used chemsex drugs in the last year reported no sexualised drug use, but almost three-quarters (72.9%) did. Only 6.1% of the whole sample reported sexualised chemsex drug use in the last year. The odds of reporting chemsex in the last year were significantly higher for men aged 36–45 years (AOR = 1.96), single men (AOR = 1.83), men who were HIV positive (AOR = 4.01), men who report high-risk sex (AOR = 4.46), being fisted (AOR = 7.77) or had sex in exchange for goods other than money (AOR = 4.7) in the last year and men who reported an HIV test in the last 3 months (AOR = 1.53). Discussion: Only a small proportion of MSM in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland reported chemsex, and, for the first time, it is demonstrated that not all chemsex drug use was sexualised. Nevertheless, MSM who engage in chemsex (MWEC) reported substantial sexual risk inequalities. These novel findings highlight several opportunities for intervention, particularly around the multiple vulnerabilities of MWEC, opportunities for early identification of those most vulnerable to chemsex-related harm and the potential to develop a specialised responsive patient pathway.

Feasibility of Indirect Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Test Kits via WeChat Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Shangcao ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Xiang Mao ◽  
Tianyi Lu ◽  
Yangyang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽  
Secondary Distribution ◽  
Self Test ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND The use of HIV self-test (HST) kits is commonplace in key sexually active populations. The direct secondary distribution of HST kits (DSDHK) is effective in improving the uptake of HIV self-testing. However, there are concerns about various limitations of DSDHK, including limited geographic location, payment problems, and face-to-face interaction. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the feasibility and characteristics of the indirect secondary distribution of HST kits (ISDHK) via WeChat (distributing HST application links and follow-up HST kits to partners) among men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS From October 2017 to September 2019, an HIV self-testing (HIVST) recruitment advertisement was disseminated on the WeChat social media platform to invite MSM to apply for HST kits (referred to as “index participants” [Ips]). All of the MSM participants were encouraged to distribute the HST application link to their friends and sexual partners (referred to as “Alters”) through their social networks. All Alters were further encouraged to continue to distribute the HST application link. All participants paid a deposit (USD 7), refundable upon completion of the questionnaire and uploading of the test result via an online survey system. RESULTS 2,263 MSM met the criteria and successfully applied for HST. Of these, 1,816 participants returned their HST test results, including 1,422 (88.3%) IPs and 394 (21.7%) Alters. Compared with the IPs, the Alters practiced more condomless anal intercourse (CAI), a higher proportion of them never previously had an HIV test, and they had a greater willingness to distribute HST kits to sexual partners (all p < 0.05). After controlling for age, education, and income, the Alters had a greater proportion of MSM who had never tested for HIV before (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.00–1.68), were more willing to distribute the HST application link (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.21–2.40), had a lower number of sexual partners (aOR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.57–0.90), and were less likely to search for sexual partners via online means (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.60–1.02). In comparison, the rates of reactive HST results, conducting HIV confirmatory tests, HIV seropositivity, and initiation of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) were similar for IPs and Alters. CONCLUSIONS The ISDHK mode of distributing HST application links via social media is feasible among the MSM population. The ISDHK mode should be used to supplement the DSDHK mode in order to enable a greater proportion of the MSM population to know their HIV infection status.

scholarly journals Attitudes towards and beliefs about nutrition and health among a random sample of adults in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (5a) ◽  
pp. 1117-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M Kearney ◽  
Michael J Gibney ◽  
Barbara E Livingstone ◽  
Paula J Robson ◽  
Mairead Kiely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
The Republic

AbstractObjectivesFor effective healthy eating promotion, it is necessary to understand the attitudes towards and beliefs about nutrition of the general public. The objective of this study was to provide data on attitudes towards eating a healthy diet and the perceived need to alter eating habits from a random sample of adults in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, using a self-administered questionnaire.DesignCross-sectional survey using a self-administered attitudinal questionnaire on beliefs and attitudes to healthy eating.SettingThe survey was carried out between October 1997 and October 1999 in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.SubjectsA randomly selected sample of 1256 adults from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland completed the attitudinal questionnaire.ResultsA majority of subjects (62%) perceived that they make conscious efforts to eat a healthy diet either most of the time or quite often, while just over half (52%) agreed that they do not need to make changes to their diet as it is healthy enough. Subjects most likely to make conscious efforts to try to eat a healthy diet were females, older subjects (51-64 years) and those with the highest intakes of fruit and vegetables and lowest quartile of fat (% food energy). When self-assessed adequacy of fruit and vegetables was examined, two-thirds of the total sample felt they ate too little fruit while just one-third felt they ate too little vegetables.ConclusionResults of the present study, in general, revealed good agreement between attitude and behaviour with respect to healthy eating. This suggests that people appear to be reasonably accurate at evaluating their own diet in terms of how healthy it is. In terms of the two food groups examined in this study, some optimistic bias was evident for vegetables but not for fruit. It may be useful therefore to assess attitudes and beliefs about healthy eating by way of examining attitudes to such food groups individually.

scholarly journals Sexually transmitted infection diagnoses, sexualised drug use and associations with pre-exposure prophylaxis use among men who have sex with men in the UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-263
Author(s):  
Matthew P Hibbert ◽  
Caroline E Brett ◽  
Lorna A Porcellato ◽  
Vivian D Hope
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Previous research has focused on acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, but few community-based studies have been conducted regarding actual use, and PrEP use in the context of sexualised drug use remains understudied. A national online cross-sectional study recruited men who have sex with men (MSM) via social media (April–June 2018). Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with PrEP use. Bivariate analyses compared engaging in condomless anal intercourse (CAI) under the influence of specific drugs and recent sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses (past 12 months) between MSM taking PrEP and those not. Overall, 6% (99/1581) MSM reported current PrEP use. Factors associated with PrEP use were increasing age, recent genitourinary medicine (GUM) attendance (95% versus 45%, aOR = 6.25, 95%CI 2.05, 19.03), an HIV test in the past three months (89% versus 23%, aOR = 14.22, 95%CI 6.76, 29.90), and recent engagement in chemsex (21% versus 4%, aOR = 3.56, 95%CI 1.78, 7.11). MSM taking PrEP were more likely to have had an STI diagnosis (42% versus 8%), most commonly chlamydia (26% versus 3%) and gonorrhoea (25% versus 4%). Considering the elevated levels of self-reported STI diagnoses among those on PrEP, there was a high level of engagement with sexual health services, which may help reduce onward STI transmission.

scholarly journals Syphilis Self-testing: A Nationwide Pragmatic Study Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 2178-2186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Wang ◽  
Weibin Cheng ◽  
Changchang Li ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Jason J Ong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Self Test ◽  
Male Sexual Partners ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
First Time

AbstractBackgroundSyphilis self-testing may help expand syphilis testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). China has rapidly scaled up human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing, creating an opportunity for integrated syphilis self-testing. However, there is a limited literature on implementing syphilis self-testing.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Chinese MSM in 2018. Participants completed a survey instrument including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, syphilis self-testing, and HIV self-testing history. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify correlates of syphilis self-testing. We also recorded potential harms associated with syphilis self-testing.ResultsSix hundred ninety-nine MSM from 89 cities in 21 provinces in China completed the study. A total of 361/699 (51.7%) men tested for syphilis, of whom 174/699 (24.9%) men used syphilis self-testing. Among 174 who had self-tested, 90 (51.7%) reported that the self-test was their first syphilis test and 161 (92.5%) reported that they undertook syphilis self-testing together with HIV self-testing. After adjusting for covariates, syphilis self-testing was correlated with disclosure of sexual orientation to family or friends (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–2.73), reporting 2–5 male sexual partners (aOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.04–3.16), HIV self-testing (aOR, 39.90; 95% CI, 17.00–93.61), and never tested for syphilis in the hospital (aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.86–4.72). Self-reported harms associated with syphilis self-testing were minimal.ConclusionsScaling up syphilis self-testing could complement facility-based testing in China among MSM. Self-testing may increase first-time testing and has limited harms. Our findings suggest that syphilis self-testing could be integrated into HIV self-testing services.

scholarly journals Determinants of Recent HIV Self-Testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Jiangsu Province, China: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjun Li ◽  
Gifty Marley ◽  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Yunting Chen ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Jiangsu Province ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bivariate Correlation ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
Sex With Men

Background: To help inform regarding HIV self-testing (HIVST) upscale, we assessed the determinants of recent HIVST uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Jiangsu province, China.Methods: We conducted a convenience online survey from March to April, 2020 among men aged ≥16 years, who had ever had sex with other men. Statistical analysis included Pearson's chi-square test, bivariate correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Of the total 692 participants, 69.5% (481) were aged between 18 and 40 years, and 65.9% (456) had reportedly ever self-tested. Using HIVST for first HIV test (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.21–3.26), perceiving HIVST as more private (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.85–2.35), and users not needing to go to a health facility (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20–2.34) were associated with recent HIVST as facilitating factors.Conclusion: HIVST uptake rate has increased among Jiangsu MSM and can be further promoted by healthcare workers routinely recommending HIVST to their clients.

scholarly journals Correlates of inconsistent condom use and drug use among men having sex with men in Poland: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 894-902
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Piersiala ◽  
Joanna Krajewski ◽  
Daniela Dadej ◽  
Anna Loroch ◽  
Witold Czerniak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Inconsistent Condom ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sti Prevention ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Inconsistent Condom Use

The number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses is rising in many parts of Europe. We sought to evaluate the rising prevalence of new HIV diagnoses in Poland, where the majority of newly-diagnosed HIV cases are men having sex with men (MSM). This study aims to measure the prevalence of condom use and drug use and to identify risk factors for contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among MSM in Poland by distributing an anonymous online survey aimed toward MSM. Among the 1438 participants who completed valid surveys, those with low education level and greater than 100 prior sexual partners showed the highest odds for inconsistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.027, 2.044, respectively). Participants who identified themselves as heterosexuals, with multiple sexual partners and living in big cities showed the highest odds for drug use (aOR 4.869, 3.305, 1.720, respectively). This study identifies groups at the highest risk of HIV/STIs and provides valuable information for public health experts to develop targeted STI prevention campaigns.

scholarly journals The incorporation of HIV self-testing as an exclusive option among men who have sex with men in Spain: results of an online cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hoyos ◽  
J. M. Guerras ◽  
K. Koutentakis ◽  
L. de la Fuente ◽  
J. Pulido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Know How ◽  
The Past ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Self Test ◽  
Sex With Men

Abstract Background We assessed to what extent HIV self-testing would be incorporated by men who have sex with men (MSM) with previous testing history as their exclusive testing option and describe what actions they would take in the case of obtaining a reactive self-test. Methods We conducted an online survey among Spanish resident MSM recruited mainly in gay dating apps and analyze 6171 ever tested individuals. We used Poisson regression to estimate factors associated with the incorporation of self-testing as the exclusive testing option. Among those who would incorporate self-testing as their exclusive option, we described actions taken if obtaining a reactive self-test by number of tests in the past. Results Nearly half of the participants (48.3%) were > =35 years old, 84.6% were born in Spain, 57.9% had attained a university degree, 55.1% lived in a municipality of ≤500.000 and 86.4% self-identified as homosexual. For 37.2%, self-testing would become their exclusive testing option. The incorporation of self-testing as the exclusive option increased with age 25–34 (PR:1.1, 95%CI:1.0–1.3), 35–44 (PR:1.3, 95%CI:1.2–1.5), 45–49 (PR:1.5, 95%CI:1.3–1.7) and > 50 (PR:1.5, 95%CI:1.3–1.8) and in those who reported unprotected anal intercourse (PR:1.1, 95%CI:1.0–1.2) or having paid for sex (PR:1.2, 95%CI:1.0–1.3) in the last 12 months. It was also associated with having had < 10 HIV test in the past (2–9 tests (PR:1.3, 95%CI:1.1–1.4); 1 test (PR:1.5, 95%CI:1.3–1.7)), and having been tested ≥2 years (PR:1.4, 95%CI:1.3–1.5) or between 1 and 2 years ago (PR:1.1, 95%CI:1.0–1.2). Of participants who would use self-testing exclusively 76.6% would confirm their result in case of obtaining a reactive self-test and only 6.1% wouldn’t know how to react. Only one individual expressed that he would do nothing at all. Conclusion HIV self-testing could become the exclusive testing option for more than a third of our participants. It was chosen as the exclusive option especially by older, at risk and under-tested MSM. Self-testing strategies need to especially consider the linkage to care process. In this sense, only a small fraction would not know how to react and virtually nobody reported taking no action if obtaining a reactive result.

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