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Prescription Drug Misuse and Sexual Risk Taking Among HIV-Negative MSM

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Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) misuse prescription drugs at high rates. Little research has examined the connection between prescription drug misuse and HIV risk in this population. With a community sample of MSM, the authors assessed prescription drug misuse—not including erectile dysfunction medications—and sexual risk behaviors among HIV-negative MSM. The findings indicate that recent prescription drug misusers had higher odds of engaging in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI; OR = 1.63), specifically receptive UAI (OR = 1.58), and more likely to have UAI with a higher number of seroconcordant partners (b = 0.268). MSM who reported recently misusing prescription drugs during sexual encounters were more likely to engage in UAI (OR = 2.02), specifically insertive UAI (OR = 1.86). There was no association between prescription drug misuse and identification as a barebacker. This research indicates that prescription drug misusing MSM are a risk group who may benefit from HIV prevention and intervention efforts.

Resumen

Los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) hacen uso indebido de drogas de prescripción en tasas altas. La conexión entre el uso indebido de drogas de prescripción y el riesgo de transmisión de VIH ha sido poco investigada en esta población. Los autores midieron el uso indebido de drogas de prescripción—exceptuando medicaciones para la disfunción eréctil—así como comportamientos sexuales riesgosos, en una muestra comunitaria de HSH VIH-negativo. Los resultados indican que quienes recientemente hicieron uso indebido de drogas de prescripción tuvieron más chances de haber participado en sexo anal sin protección (SASP; OR = 1.63), especialmente receptivo (OR = 1.58), así como más chances de haber tenido SASP con un mayor número de compañeros sero-concordantes (b = 0.268). Los HSH que reportaron reciente uso indebido de drogas de prescripción durante encuentros sexuales fueron más proclives a participar en SASP (OR = 2.02), especialmente insertivo (OR = 1.86). No hubo asociación entre el uso indebido de drogas de prescripción y la identificación como barebacker. Esta investigación indica que los HSH que hacen uso indebido de drogas de prescripción son un grupo de riesgo que podría beneficiarse de intervenciones y esfuerzos de prevención del VIH.

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Acknowledgments

The Sex and Love Project was supported by the Hunter College Center for HIV Educational Studies & Training, under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey T. Parsons. The authors acknowledge the contributions of members of the Sex and Love research team: Michael Adams, Anthony Bamonte, David Bimbi, Jessica Colon, Armando Fuentes, Christian Grov, Catherine Holder, Juline Koken, Julia Tomassilli, and Brooke Wells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Purdue University, 700 W State St, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Brian C. Kelly

  2. Center for HIV Educational Studies & Training, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA

    Brian C. Kelly & Jeffrey T. Parsons

  3. Department of Psychology, Hunter College & The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA

    Jeffrey T. Parsons

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  1. Brian C. Kelly
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  2. Jeffrey T. Parsons
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Correspondence to Brian C. Kelly.

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Kelly, B.C., Parsons, J.T. Prescription Drug Misuse and Sexual Risk Taking Among HIV-Negative MSM. AIDS Behav 17, 926–930 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9993-z

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