HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors among Ketamine and Non-Ketamine Using Criminal Offenders Prior to Prison Entry

Clinical and behavior characteristics of individuals who used ketamine

This study aims to depict and compare clinical characteristics and risk behavior among groups of individuals using ketamine, polydrugs or smoking cigarette. A total of 185 drug-using participants and 49 smokers participated in this study. A cross-sectional interview was used to collect information on demographics, drug- and sex-related behaviors, HIV serostatus, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), behavioral dispositions. N-back memory test was used to measure short-term memory. Result shows that 10 participants (5.41%) were HIV positive and 14 (7.57%) having LUTS. Individuals with ketamine and polydrugs use have significantly worse drug-related problem than cigarette smokers. Compared to cigarette smokers and ketamine users, individuals with polydrug users scored significantly higher on impulsivity measures. Cigarette smokers performed significantly better than the other two groups on the memory tests. A few patients had been infected with HIV and diagnosed with LUTS. Findings support that memory on short term recalls of patients with ketamine use might be impaired. Study findings warrants the necessarily of further study on influences of using ketamine.

Prevalence of HIV risk behavior among male substance abusing offenders of intimate partner violence

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the rates of HIV risk-taking behavior and sexual violence among clients with co-occurring addiction and intimate partner violence (IPV). The current study also aims to determine whether HIV risk-taking behaviors (e.g. trading sex for money or drugs, having unprotected sex with multiple partners) differ among substance using IPV offenders with and without a history of sexual aggression.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary analyses were conducted from Easton et al.’s (2017) randomized controlled trial of substance use domestic violence treatment among substance using IPV offenders. Correlational analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between pre-treatment sexual aggression, HIV risk-taking behaviors, substance use and aggression. Analyses of covariance were conducted in order to determine differences in participants’ HIV risk-taking behaviors based on their history of sexual aggression while controlling for hours of contact with the female partners.

Findings

In a sample of 63 participants, males with higher rates of sexual aggression were more likely to engage in sexual risk-taking behaviors. This study encountered a correlation between pre-treatment risk-taking behavior and verbal and physical aggression, as well as a correlation between pre-treatment risk-taking behaviors and cocaine use. Results neither suggest a relationship between sexual aggression and alcohol use nor HIV risk-taking behaviors and alcohol use at pre-treatment.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited by sample size and power.

Originality/value

This study is among the first of its kind to investigate HIV risk-taking behaviors among substance using offenders of IPV. This study provides support for the inclusion of treatment targeting HIV risk-taking behaviors among IPV offenders.

Recreational drug use and risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men: A cross-sectional study in Shenzhen, China

BACKGROUND

Recreational drug use has increased in recent years, especially among MSM, and has been found to be associated with higher risk of HIV infection. However, there is limited information about current recreational drug use among MSM in Shenzhen which is an international gateway city to China with a rapidly expanding MSM population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey among MSM in Shenzhen was conducted and was used to collected information on demographics, sexual behavior and drug use via questionnaires. Serologic results on HIV and syphilis were obtained from laboratory assays. We performed logistic regression analysis to evaluate correlates with drug use.

RESULTS

Among the 1935 MSM surveyed, 12.7% reported use of recreational drugs in the past six months. Rush poppers had become the most frequently used drug (10.6%). Risk factors associated with the use of recreational drugs included being unmarried, non-Han ethnicity, having high education level, seeking male sex partners via the internet, having multiple male sex partners, performing receptive role during anal sex, and having unprotected anal intercourse. Recreational drug use was significantly associated with higher risk of both HIV and syphilis infections (aOR:1.89, 95% CI:1.28-2.79; aOR:1.79, 95% CI:1.25-2.60, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Recreational drug use is associated with increased risk of HIV and syphilis infections among MSM in Shenzhen. Rush poppers were the most popular recreational drug. This finding suggests the need for targeted prevention and behavioral intervention programs to control the recreational drug use, and to reduce HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among MSM in Shenzhen and internationally.