The Association Between Substance Use and Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among Young Black MSM in Atlanta, GA Participating in the Element Study. Open Access

Cheek, Jelani (Spring 2018)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/5h73pw09n?locale=en%255D
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Abstract

Black MSM (men who have sex with men) are disproportionately infected with HIV compared with non-black MSM in the United States. Substance use is a primary factor for high-risk sexual behavior, which may lead to HIV infection. Studies examining substance use in black MSM, particularly young black MSM limited. The current study aims at examining the possible association of five substances (marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, poppers, and opiates) and insertive and receptive unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among young black MSM in Atlanta, GA. The study data is derived from baseline survey data of 465 young black MSM, ages 18-29 years participating in the Ele[men]t Cohort study in Atlanta, GA. 419 participants were eligible for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to test the association between each of the five substances with insertive and receptive UAI. Marijuana was the most frequently used substance among the cohort at 66.7% followed by poppers (17.7%), cocaine (14.1%), opiates (7.6%), and ecstasy (6.9%). The odds of using poppers in the past six months among those who reported receptive UAI is significantly higher (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.13 (95% CI: 1.17, 3.87)) compared with participants who did not indicate receptive anal intercourse, adjusted for alcohol use, baseline HIV status, and factors of SES. Substance use is becoming more acceptable and accessible in the United States and this may have important implications on trends in HIV incidence. The current study examined the frequencies at which substances were used among young black MSM in Atlanta, GA and the associations with insertive and receptive unprotected anal intercourse. The findings from this study will contribute to filling the gaps in literature on this subject and assist in future studies to combat the HIV epidemic. 

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………........... 1 

Methods ……………………………………………………………………………. 4 

Recruitment………………………………………………………………….…4 

Baseline Study Event ………………………………………………………….5 

Measures ……………………………………………………………………....5 

Analysis……………………………………………………………………......6 

Results ……………………………………………………………………………... 7 

Discussion ………………………………………………………………………….. 9 

References …………………………………………………………………………. 14 

Tables ……………………………………………………………………………… 20

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