National HIV Prevention Conference

Atlanta, Georgia - Jun 12-15, 2005

[TITLE:] METHAMPHETAMINE USE AND SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR AMONG MSM DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY SYPHILIS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Natl HIV Prev Conf. 2005 Jun 12-15 (abstract no. M1-B0603)

Taylor, MM1; Aynalem, G2; Smith, LV2; Hawkins, K2; Montoya, JA2; Kerndt, PR2
1CDC, Phoenix, AZ; 2LAC STDP, Los Angeles, CA

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine use has been associated with risky sexual behavior and STD/HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sexual risk behaviors of MSM with the diagnosis of early syphilis (ES) reporting methamphetamine use.

METHODS: We reviewed field interview records for MSM with ES reported in Los Angeles between January 2001 and July 2004 for factors associated with methamphetamine use.

RESULTS: There were a total of 2,341 ES cases reported during the study period. Of these 1,493 (63.8%) were MSM. Of these MSM, 146 reported methamphetamine use and 1,347 did not. Methamphetamine use was associated with having multiple sex partners (PR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.2), not using condoms (PR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-2.5), having anonymous sex partners(PR 1.1 95%CI 1.04-1.2), history of recent incarceration (PR 5.1, 95% CI 3.0-8.7), and meeting sex partners via the Internet (PR 1.8, 95% CI 14.-2.3), at bathhouses (PR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.9) and on the streets (PR 2.7,95% CI 1.7-4.2) In multivariate analysis having multiple sex partners, not using condoms, recent incarceration, and meeting sex partners at bathhouses remained significantly associated with methamphetamine use.

CONCLUSIONS: Effective STD risk reduction interventions targeting MSM methamphetamine users are needed to curb risky sexual behavior and syphilis transmission.

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