Party drugs still an indicator of HIV transmission risk among Aussie gay men

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-11-28 03:00

Australia; NSW

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Frequent use of party drugs is still an indicator of HIV transmission risk among gay men in Australia, according to a decade of survey data. Australian researchers surveyed gay and bisexual men periodically from 2012 to 2021, asking them about their drug use and participation in behaviours that come with HIV transmission risk, such as unprotected anal sex and large numbers of sexual partners. The researchers say drug use increased overall during the study period in line with other research on the general Australian population. They say while only 1.5-2.6% of those surveyed reported frequent party drug use, this group were likely to also report risky sexual behaviours for HIV transmission. This group should be targeted for harm reduction measures and HIV prevention efforts, they say.

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Journal/
conference: Drug and Alcohol Review

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney

Funder: The Centre for Social Research in Health and The Kirby Institute received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health. The Gay Community Periodic Surveys are funded by state and territory health departments, the Australian Government Department of Health and the National Health and Medical Research Council (GNT2002625).

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