Recreational drug use and risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men: A cross-sectional study in Shenzhen, China

- The prevalence of recreational drug use is 12.7% among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shenzhen.
- Rush poppers is the most frequently used drug among this population.
- Recreational drug use was associated with more high-risk sexual behaviors.
- Recreational drug users had higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- Prevention and behavioral intervention are urgently needed among MSM who use drug.

BackgroundRecreational drug use has increased in recent years, especially among MSM, and has been found to be associated with higher risk of HIV infection. However, there is limited information about current recreational drug use among MSM in Shenzhen which is an international gateway city to China with a rapidly expanding MSM population.MethodsA cross-sectional survey among MSM in Shenzhen was conducted and was used to collected information on demographics, sexual behavior and drug use via questionnaires. Serologic results on HIV and syphilis were obtained from laboratory assays. We performed logistic regression analysis to evaluate correlates with drug use.ResultsAmong the 1935 MSM surveyed, 12.7% reported use of recreational drugs in the past six months. Rush poppers had become the most frequently used drug (10.6%). Risk factors associated with the use of recreational drugs included being unmarried, non-Han ethnicity, having high education level, seeking male sex partners via the internet, having multiple male sex partners, performing receptive role during anal sex, and having unprotected anal intercourse. Recreational drug use was significantly associated with higher risk of both HIV and syphilis infections (aOR:1.89, 95% CI:1.28-2.79; aOR:1.79, 95% CI:1.25-2.60, respectively).ConclusionsRecreational drug use is associated with increased risk of HIV and syphilis infections among MSM in Shenzhen. Rush poppers were the most popular recreational drug. This finding suggests the need for targeted prevention and behavioral intervention programs to control the recreational drug use, and to reduce HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among MSM in Shenzhen and internationally.