Methamphetamine-Using
HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men: Correlates of Polydrug
Use
Thomas L. Patterson; Shirley
J. Semple; James K. Zians; Steffanie A. Strathdee
Journal of Urban Health - Friday, April 01,
2005
CDC NCHSTP Daily News Update
Methamphetamine use has become problematic among communities
of men having sex with men (MSM), where it has been associated
with high-risk behaviors, researchers in the current study
explained. Methamphetamine is frequently combined with other
drugs, resulting in increased risks and adverse health
consequences.
"To examine differences in background characteristics, HIV
risk behaviors, and psychosocial variables among polydrug-using
HIV-positive MSM, the researchers classified a sample of 261
HIV-positive, methamphetamine-using MSM into three user groups:
(1) methamphetamine only; (2) methamphetamine, marijuana, and
poppers (light polydrug users); and (3) methamphetamine and
other drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and ketamine;
heavy polydrug users)." Five percent reported using only
methamphetamine in the past two months; 31 percent were
classified as light polydrug users; and 64 percent were
classified as heavy polydrug users, the researchers said.
Compared to light polydrug users, heavy polydrug users were
significantly younger (35.6 vs. 38.4, P<.01) and reported
methamphetamine use for considerably fewer years (10.3 vs. 14.2
years, P<.001); however, there was no difference in the amount
and frequency of methamphetamine or alcohol consumed. "Heavy
polydrug users reported significantly more sex partners of
HIV-negative and unknown serostatus and had more unprotected sex
with these partners. Heavy polydrug users had significantly
higher scores on impulsivity and negative self-perceptions, as
compared with those of light polydrug users," the authors
reported. This sample of HIV-positive MSM indicated most of
those who used methamphetamine had a pattern of polydrug use.
More high-risk sexual behaviors were reported among heavy
polydrug users compared to light polydrug users.
The researchers concluded the study's findings have dual
implications. "Longitudinal research is needed to establish
causal relationships among methamphetamine use, impulsivity,
negative self-perceptions, and sexual risk behavior in this
target population" and "behavioral interventions should evaluate
whether methamphetamine use and sexual risk behavior can be
reduced by modifying impulsivity and negative self-perceptions."
