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ViewAttendees 3

Symposia

LGBTQ+

Investigating Sexual and Mental Health Challenges among Stimulant Using Sexual Minority Men

2 - (SYM 52) Different Classes of Crystal Methamphetamine Use Are Associated with Psychological and Sexually Transmitted Infection Outcomes Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

Friday, November 15, 2024
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM EST
Location: Franklin 2, Level 4, Downtown Marriott
Abstract Body

Compared to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) who do not use crystal methamphetamine (CM), GBM reporting CM use have greater odds of acquiring bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, heterogeneity in frequency, urges/desire to use, and substance use-related problems exists among GBM who use CM. We examined whether CM use and symptoms are associated with differences in sexual attitudes, behaviors, and health outcomes, in order to identify points of intervention. We used baseline data (n=2449) from the Engage Cohort Study, a community-recruited sexual health study of GBM in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. We examined the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test for CM-using GBM (ASSIST-CM) scale, STI-related psychosocial and behavioral measures, anxiety and depression, and nurse-administered testing for HIV and other STIs. Using the ASSIST-CM, we identified distinct patterns of CM use using Latent Class Analysis (LCA). We then included variables that differed among classes in bivariate analyses in a multinomial regression model to examine associations with class membership. A 4-class solution fit the data best: Class 1, occasional users without reported concerns and problems; Class 2, occasional users with reported concerns and attempts to stop/control use; Class 3, monthly users with consequences; and Class 4, weekly users with frequent consequences. In the multinomial regression, we found class differences in education, city, alcohol use, sexual compulsivity, and escape motives. GBM living with HIV were more likely to be in Class 4 than in other groups. Injection drug use differed between each class, with Class 3 >Class 4 >Class 2 >Class 1. Our analysis illustrates the diversity in patterns of CM use among GBM and underscores the importance of integrating tailored substance use counseling and treatments with STI risk reduction and sexual health promotion among different classes of CM-using GBM.