Factors associated with event-level stimulant use during sex in a sample of older, low-income men who have sex with men in Los Angeles

Publication year: 2009
Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 26 March 2009
Allison, Ober , Steve, Shoptaw , Pin-Chieh, Wang , Pamina, Gorbach , Robert E., Weiss

Prior research shows that stimulant use is consistently associated with high-risk sexual behavior in samples of men who have sex with men (MSM), but few studies have explored factors associated with use of crack or methamphetamine during sex during specific sexual events among older, very low-income MSM. This study examined stimulant use during the most recent sexual episodes in a sample of primarily older, very low-income MSM (n=779). Although crack use was more prevalent than methamphetamine use (33% vs. 22%), findings suggest that methamphetamine users may be at greater risk for HIV transmission. HIV prevalence was higher among methamphetamine users…