Background: Gay and bisexual men typically report high rates of illicit drug use, including methamphetamine use. This paper aimed to analyse trends in crystal methamphetamine ('crystal') and powder methamphetamine ('speed') use among gay and bisexual men in Australia, and characterise the sociodemographic, drug use, and sexual risk practices of men who reported crystal use.
Methods: The Gay Community Periodic Surveys, routinely conducted behavioural surveillance surveys of gay men in Australia, were analysed to examine trends in recent crystal and speed use during 2005-14 (any use in the previous 6 months), and trends in regular crystal and speed use during 2007-14 (at least monthly use in the previous 6 months). Covariates of recent and regular crystal use were analysed using 2014 data.
Results: Speed use declined from 25.0% to 10.2% during 2005-14 (p-trend <.001), while regular speed use declined from 7.0% to 2.3% during 2007-14 (p-trend <.001). Any crystal use declined from 15.6% to 11.4% during 2005-14 (p-trend <.001) and increased during 2010-14 (from 9.6% in 2010; p-trend <.001). Regular crystal use declined from 6.1% to 4.0% during 2007-14 (p-trend <.001) and remained stable during 2010-14 (3.9% in 2010; p-trend=.64). Participants who reported regular crystal use were more likely than men who used crystal less frequently to have used gamma-hydroxybutyrate, used party drugs for sex, and to have injected drugs in the previous 6 months. High rates of crystal use and injecting were reported among HIV-positive participants.
Conclusion: Rates of both crystal and speed use, despite fluctuations, were consistently high throughout the study period. The high rates of crystal use and associations with potentially risky sexual practices indicate that gay and bisexual men should be a particular focus for targeted harm reduction and combined harm reduction and sexual health services.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.01.003 | DOI Listing |
CJEM
January 2025
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Scarborough Health Network Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Purpose: Intersex people make up 1.7-4% of the population of North America. A recent scoping review of emergency department (ED) relevant literature for the care of sexual and gender minorities found almost no representation of this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
December 2024
Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA.
Background: Little is known about the efficacy of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or what biologic factors may influence HIV transmission in transgender men (TGM). In this study, we sought to explore the effect of testosterone on the vaginal microbiome, cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) tenofovir concentrations, and levels of CVF inflammatory markers in TGM on PrEP.
Methods: Cervicovaginal fluid was collected from 13 TGM (7 using testosterone) and 32 cisgender women (CGW) on PrEP.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
December 2024
Department of Psychiatry and Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY.
Background: We assessed access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and interest in integration of PrEP with gender-affirmative care in a global sample of transmasculine persons.
Methods: Transmasculine persons (N = 590) aged 18 years and above from 57 countries completed a brief online survey from April to July 2022 about sexual behavior, knowledge, and interest in PrEP, current access to PrEP and gender-affirmative care, and preferred context for accessing PrEP. Descriptive analyses were stratified by country income group.
JMIR Form Res
January 2025
School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States, 1 8123695216.
Background: While the significance of care navigation in facilitating access to health care within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (LGBTQ+) communities has been acknowledged, there is limited research examining how care navigation influences an individual's ability to understand and access the care they need in real-world settings. By analyzing private sector data, we can bridge the gap between theoretical research findings and practical applications, ultimately informing both business strategies and public policy with evidence grounded in real-world efficacy.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of specialized virtual care navigation services on LGBTQ+ individuals' ability to comprehend and access necessary care within a national cohort of commercially insured members.
JMIR Hum Factors
January 2025
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, 123 Metro Blvd, Nutley, NJ, 07110, United States, 1 7248419463.
Background: Transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) individuals are increasingly intentionally becoming pregnant to raise children, and hospital websites should reflect these trends. For prospective TGNB parents, a hospital website is the only way they can assess their safety from discrimination while receiving perinatal care. Cisnormativity enforced by communication gaps between medical institutions and TGNB patients can and has caused delays in receiving urgent care during their pregnancy.
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