Men who have sex with men (MSM) is a term that refers to all males who engage in sexual activity with other men. Risky sexual behaviors among MSM lead to disproportionately high prevalence rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Research has also shown that, compared to other men, MSM are at an increased risk for many mental health conditions, and at increased risk for substance abuse. This paper examines the links in MSM between substance abuse, specifically the psychostimulant drug, methamphetamine, risky sexual behaviors and approaches to preventive and primary care, as illustrated by a case study.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
PittsMK, CouchMA, SmithAM. Men who have sex with men (MSM): how much to assume and what to ask?Med J Aust, 2006; 185:450–2.
2.
PathelaP, HajatA, SchillingerJ, BlankS, SellR, MostashariF. Discordance between sexual behavior, self-reported sexual identity: a population-based survey of New York City Men. Ann Intern Med, 2006; 145:416–25.
XuF, SternbergMR, MarkowitzLE. Men who have sex with men in the United States: demographic and behavioral characteristics and prevalence of HIV and HSV-2 infection: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2006. Sex Transm Dis, 2010; 37:399–405.
WilliamsW. Sexual variance in Asian cultures. Amerasia J, 1994; 20:87–94.
7.
SmithA, MilesI, LeB, FinlaysonT, OsterA, DiNennoE. Prevalence and awareness of HIV infection among men who have sex with men—21 cities, United States, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2010; 59:1201–7.
8.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HIV Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/pdf/msm.pdf. 2010 October 21.
9.
CohenDE, RussellCJ, GolubSA, MayerKH. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among men who have sex with men at a Boston community health center and its association with markers of high-risk behavior. AIDS Patient Care STDS, 2006; 20:557–64.
10.
JinF, PrestageJP, MatthewsGV, ZablostkaI, RawstorneP, KippaxSCet al.Prevalence, incidence, risk factors for Hepatitis C in homosexual men: data from two cohorts of HIV-negative and HIV-positive men in Sydney, Australia. Sex Transm Infect, 2010; 86:25–8.
11.
HeffelfingerJD, SwintEB, BermanSM, WeinstockHS. Trends in primary and secondary syphilis among men who have sex with men in the United States. Am J Public Health, 2007; 97:1076–83.
12.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance—STDs in Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/msm.htm. 2010 November 12.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gay and Bisexual Men's Health- Mental Health. Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/mental-health.htm. 2010 October 22.
16.
HayesRB, TurnerH, CoatesTJ. Social support, AIDS-related symptoms, and depression among gay men. J Consult Clin Psychol, 1992; 60:463–9.
17.
KesslerRC, ChiuWT, DemlerO, WaltersEE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)Arch Gen Psychiatry, 2005; 62:617–27.
18.
MillsTC, PaulJ, StallR, PollackL, CancholaJ, ChangYJet al.Distress, depression in men who have sex with men: the Urban Men's Health Study. Am J Psychiatry, 2004; 161:278–85.
19.
ClattsM, GoldsamtL, YiH. Club Drug Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in NYC: A Preliminary Epidemiological Profile. Subst Use Misuse, 2005; 40:1317–1330.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HIV among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)Atlanta, GA: CDChttp://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/index.htm. 2011 March 3.
22.
WohlAR, FryeDM, JohnsonDF. Demographic characteristics and sexual behaviours associated with methamphetamine use among MSM and non-MSM diagnosed with AIDS in Los Angeles County. AIDS Behav Sep, 2008; 12:705–12.
23.
RebackCJ. The Social Construction of a Gay Drug: Methamphetamine Use Among Gay and Bisexual Males in Los Angeles. 1997Los Angeles: Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), 1997. http://www.uclaisap.org/documents/final-report_cjr_1-15-04.pdf. 2010 November 7.
24.
ColfaxGN, ManserghG, GuzmanR, VittinghoffE, MarksG, RaderMet al.Drug use, sexual risk behavior among gay, bisexual men who attend circuit parties: a venue-based comparison. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2001; 28:373–9.
25.
RebackCJ, LarkinsS, ShoptawS. Changes in the meaning of sexual risk behaviors among gay and bisexual male methamphetamine abusers before and after drug treatment. AIDS Behav, 2004; 8:87–98.
26.
ShoptawS, RebackCJ. Association between methamphetamine use, HIV among men who have sex with men: a model for guiding public policy. J Urban Health, 2006; 83:1151–7.
27.
ManserghG, ShouseRL, MarksG, GuzmanR, RaderM, BuchbinderSet al.Methamphetamine and sildenafil (Viagra) use are linked to unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex, respectively, in a sample of men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect, 2006; 82:131–4.
28.
ChangL, ErnstT, SpeckO, GrubCS. Additive effects of HIV and chronic methamphetamine use on brain metabolite abnormalities. Am J Psychiatry, 2005; 162:361–9.
29.
RippethJD, HeatonRK, CareyCL, MarcotteTD, MooreDJ, GonzalezRet al.Methamphetamine dependence increases risk of neuropsychological impairment in HIV infected persons. J Int Neuropsychol Soc, 2004; 10:1–14.
30.
KnightD. Health care screening for men who have sex with men. Am Fam Physician, 2004; 69:2149–56.
SempleSJ, PattersonTL, GrantI. Motivations associated with methamphetamine use among HIV+ men who have sex with men. J Subst Abuse Treat, 2002; 22:149–56.
