Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium
Abstract Background It has been speculated that the prevalence of chemsex is increasing in men who have sex with men and that this may be playing a role in the spread of HIV. Methods We assessed if the prevalence of reported chemsex was increasing and if chemsex was associated with HIV infection in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-10-01
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| Series: | AIDS Research and Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12981-018-0201-3 |
| _version_ | 1818839054666432512 |
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| author | Chris Kenyon Kristien Wouters Tom Platteau Jozefien Buyze Eric Florence |
| author_facet | Chris Kenyon Kristien Wouters Tom Platteau Jozefien Buyze Eric Florence |
| author_sort | Chris Kenyon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background It has been speculated that the prevalence of chemsex is increasing in men who have sex with men and that this may be playing a role in the spread of HIV. Methods We assessed if the prevalence of reported chemsex was increasing and if chemsex was associated with HIV infection in clients attending the ‘Helpcenter’, Antwerp, between 2011 and 2017. This is a HIV/STI testing center that offers HIV/STI testing to HIV-uninfected individuals from key populations including MSM. Results We found an increase in the reporting of condomless sex associated with the use of a number of drugs, including ecstasy, amphetamines, GHB and cocaine in MSM (from 8 to 17%) but not in heterosexuals. Reporting condomless chemsex was associated with HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio 5.7 [95% confidence interval 3.2–10.4]). Conclusions Our findings provide further evidence of the importance of asking MSM clients about the use of psychoactive substances during consultations and tailoring interventions such as pre exposure prophylaxis, more frequent STI screening and substance abuse counseling accordingly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T03:48:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-68e4c6f0bc9e48309e32d0f74894ee7b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T03:48:12Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AIDS Research and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-68e4c6f0bc9e48309e32d0f74894ee7b2022-12-21T20:37:03ZengBMCAIDS Research and Therapy1742-64052018-10-011511610.1186/s12981-018-0201-3Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, BelgiumChris Kenyon0Kristien Wouters1Tom Platteau2Jozefien Buyze3Eric Florence4HIV/STI Unit, Institute of Tropical MedicineDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical MedicineDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical MedicineDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical MedicineDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical MedicineAbstract Background It has been speculated that the prevalence of chemsex is increasing in men who have sex with men and that this may be playing a role in the spread of HIV. Methods We assessed if the prevalence of reported chemsex was increasing and if chemsex was associated with HIV infection in clients attending the ‘Helpcenter’, Antwerp, between 2011 and 2017. This is a HIV/STI testing center that offers HIV/STI testing to HIV-uninfected individuals from key populations including MSM. Results We found an increase in the reporting of condomless sex associated with the use of a number of drugs, including ecstasy, amphetamines, GHB and cocaine in MSM (from 8 to 17%) but not in heterosexuals. Reporting condomless chemsex was associated with HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio 5.7 [95% confidence interval 3.2–10.4]). Conclusions Our findings provide further evidence of the importance of asking MSM clients about the use of psychoactive substances during consultations and tailoring interventions such as pre exposure prophylaxis, more frequent STI screening and substance abuse counseling accordingly.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12981-018-0201-3ChemsexHIVSTIsSyphilisChlamydiaCondomless sex |
| spellingShingle | Chris Kenyon Kristien Wouters Tom Platteau Jozefien Buyze Eric Florence Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium AIDS Research and Therapy Chemsex HIV STIs Syphilis Chlamydia Condomless sex |
| title | Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium |
| title_full | Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium |
| title_fullStr | Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium |
| title_full_unstemmed | Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium |
| title_short | Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium |
| title_sort | increases in condomless chemsex associated with hiv acquisition in msm but not heterosexuals attending a hiv testing center in antwerp belgium |
| topic | Chemsex HIV STIs Syphilis Chlamydia Condomless sex |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12981-018-0201-3 |
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