Study on synthetic drug use and associated factors among men who have sex with men at high risk of HIV infection

Objective: To understand the current status of synthetic drug use and associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) at high risk of HIV infection. Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, Wuxi and Shenzhen through January to August 2017. MSM at high risk of HIV infection were recruited from attendants at the health clinics, through internet advertisement and snowball sampling method. Eligible MSM were the ones who had met the following criteria: >/=18 years old, having either 2 male sex partners, or condomless anal sex with a casual male sex partner, or a STD historg during the past 6 months. Data regarding demographic, sexual behavior, HIV/STD testing history and previous drug use were collected by sely-administered questionnaires. Blood was also drawn for HIV testing. Results: Of the 603 MSM at high risk of HIV, 25.5% (154/603, 95%CI: 22.0%-29.0%) of them had used drugs in the past 6 months, including 29.1% (88/302, 95%CI: 24.0%-34.3%) in Guangzhou, 26.3% (40/152, 95%CI: 19.2%-33.4%) in Shenzhen, and 17.4% (26/149, 95%CI: 11.3%-23.6%) in Wuxi. 'Rush' (85.1%, 131/154) was the most commonly used drug. Results from the multivariable logistic regression revealed that drug use was associated with the following factors: having multiple casual sexual partners (aOR=3.24, 95%CI: 1.29-7.43) and alcohol use (aOR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.12-2.80) in the past 6 months after adjusting for age, education and monthly income. Conclusions: Drug use seemed common among MSM population at high risk of HIV infection and was associated with higher risk behavior that leading to HIV infection. Synthetic drug use among MSM deserved more attention.