International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 19, Number 10 > Pp. 698-703

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Original research articles

Gay men who engage in substance use and sexual risk behaviour: a dual-risk group with unique characteristics

Z Mor MD MPH ^* , U Davidovich PhD , M McFarlane PhD , G Feldshtein BSc  and D Chemtob MD MPH ^*

^* Department of Tuberculosis and AIDS, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel; Amsterdam Health Services, Department of Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Sexually Transmitted Diseases Branch, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA; The Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Correspondence to: Dr Zohar Mor, 20 King David Street, PO Box 1176, Jerusalem 91010, Israel Email: turkizl{at}netvision.net.il

‘Recreational’ substances used among men having sex with men, and their association with risky unprotected anal intercourse (RUAI) were examined – for the first time in Israel – in an internet-based questionnaire assessing knowledge, practices and motivation. Between March and May 2005, 2873 participants completed the entire questionnaire. Of the total, 669 (23%) reported RUAI during the last six months, and 1319 (46%) used substances during sex. Use of substance was significantly higher among those performing RUAI than those who did not (31.5% versus 26.4%, P = 0.03). Involvement in both substance use and RUAI was reported by 366 participants (13%). HIV rates were higher in this dual-risk group (P < 0.01), and individuals reported more partners in the last six months than those not part of this dual risk (11.6 versus 8.2, P = 0.02). In multivariate analyses, Tel-Aviv residency, lower education, performing receptive RUAI, misperception of HIV transmission and limited negotiation skills were positively associated with this dual-risk behaviour.

Key Words: Internet • Israel • men having sex with men • sexual behaviour • substances

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