Amsterdam 2015
Menu
AIDSImpact.com
Conference Details
Authors
International Committee
Plenary Speakers
Presenting Speakers
Programme
Sessions
Scientific Committee
Acknowledgements
| Abstract #2015 - Drugs and HIV | ||||
|
Session: 34.4: Drugs and HIV (Symposium) on Thursday @ 14.30-16.00 in C103 Chaired by Marianne van der Sande, Don Desjarlais Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Mance Buttram - Nova Southeastern University, United States |
||||
| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: This presentation examines demographics, drug use, and HIV transmission risk behavior, associated with frequent group sex participation history (=3 lifetime events) among young adult multidrug users (N=498). | ||||
| Method / Issue: Data are drawn from baseline assessments used in an ongoing behavioral intervention trial. Participants completed either a computer-assisted interviewer- or self-administered personal interview that included well-tested comprehensive measures of substance use, sexual behavior, and related health and social risks. Eligible participants were ages 18-39, and reported recent (past 90 days) heterosexual sex, and recent and regular use of club drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, GHB, ketamine, or methamphetamine) and misuse of prescription medications. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Median age was 25. Nearly 45% were female 64.3% Hispanic, 20.9% Black/African American, 12.0% White, and 2.8% other ethnicity. Over 41% (N=203) of participants had a history of group sex participation and of those, 99% (N=200) used drugs during group sex. Compared to those who do not, participants reporting frequent group sex participation history (N=96) were more likely to be Black (p=0.041), older (p=0.001), and report buying sex (p=0.000), trading sex (p=0.040), earlier group sex initiation (p=0.034), participating in large group sex events with = 5 participants (p=0.000), and unprotected vaginal and/or anal intercourse during group sex (p=0.028). Frequent group sex participants were also more likely to report peer acceptance of group sex participation (p=0.030). The most used substances reported during group sex include alcohol (N=51), marijuana (N=36), cocaine (N=41), crack cocaine (N=37), ecstasy (N=18), and LSD (N=7). | ||||
| Discussion: The use of club drugs is common in many major cities and the use of these substances puts participants at high risk for health and social problems including HIV transmission risk. Literature indicates that a higher number of sex partners is associated with an increased risk of HIV infection. Such risks can be exacerbated by participation in group sex in which HIV or STI infection may pass from multiple individuals very quickly. Our data show that frequent group sex participation is associated with additional HIV transmission risk behaviors, including buying or trading sex and engaging in unprotected intercourse and/or substance use during group sex. Thus, the possibility of acquiring HIV or STI infection may be even greater among frequent group sex participants. These findings suggest that HIV prevention efforts or interventions must address group sex participation and substance use among young people. | ||||
| Go Back | ||||