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Associations between Methamphetamine Use and HIV among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Model for Guiding Public Policy

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Abstract

Among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Los Angeles County, methamphetamine use is associated with high rates of HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors. In four separate samples of MSM who differed in the range of their intensity of methamphetamine use, from levels of recreational use to chronic use to those for MSM seeking drug abuse treatment, the association between methamphetamine use and HIV infection increased as the intensity of use increased. The lowest HIV prevalence rate (23%) was observed among MSM contacted through street outreach who mentioned recent methamphetamine use, followed by MSM who used at least once a month for six months (42%), followed by MSM seeking intensive outpatient treatment (61%). The highest rate (86%) was observed among MSM seeking residential treatment for methamphetamine dependence. The interleaving nature of these epidemics calls for comprehensive strategies that address methamphetamine use and concomitant sexual behaviors that increase risk of HIV transmission in this group already at high risk. These and other data suggest that MSM who infrequently use methamphetamine may respond to lower intensity/lower cost prevention and early intervention programs while those who use the drug at dependence levels may benefit from high intensity treatment to achieve goals of reduced drug use and HIV-risk sexual behaviors.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy (contract number H 211853), the City of Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator's Office (contract number 93427), NIDA grant 1 R01 DA11031 and the Van Ness Recovery House in conducting these programs.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of California, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Steven Shoptaw

  2. Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Steven Shoptaw & Cathy J. Reback

  3. Friends Research Institute, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Steven Shoptaw & Cathy J. Reback

  4. Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services (CHIPTS), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Steven Shoptaw & Cathy J. Reback

  5. Van Ness Recovery House, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Cathy J. Reback

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  1. Steven Shoptaw
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  2. Cathy J. Reback
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Correspondence to Steven Shoptaw.

Additional information

Shoptaw is with the Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Shoptaw and Reback are with the Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Shoptaw and Reback are with the Friends Research Institute, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA; Shoptaw and Reback are with the Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services (CHIPTS), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Reback is with the Van Ness Recovery House, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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Shoptaw, S., Reback, C.J. Associations between Methamphetamine Use and HIV among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Model for Guiding Public Policy. J Urban Health 83, 1151–1157 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-006-9119-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-006-9119-5

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