Effect of age on the association between recreational drug use and sexual risk behaviour: a cross-sectional observational analysis
Arthur Wong
A B L , Garrett P. Prestage C , I. Mary Poynten C , Fengyi Jin C , Richard J. Hillman C D , Carmella Law C E , Christopher K. Fairley F G , Suzanne M. Garland H I J , Andrew E. Grulich C and David J. Templeton A C K
A Sexual Health Service, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
B School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
C The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
D Dysplasia and Anal Cancer Services, St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia.
E HIV, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, St Vincent’s Hospital, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
F Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
G Central Clinical School, Monash University, Vic. 3181, Australia.
H Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia.
I Centre for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia.
J Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
K Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
L Corresponding author. Email: arthur.wong@health.nsw.gov.au
Sexual Health 17(6) 538-542 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20115
Submitted: 6 July 2020 Accepted: 9 November 2020 Published: 17 December 2020
Abstract
Recreational drug use (RDU) among gay and bisexual men (GBM) is associated with higher-risk sexual behaviours, however this has not been well defined among older GBM. We investigated the association between RDU and sexual behaviours among older GBM in Sydney, Australia. 617 GBM aged 35–79 years self-reported their RDU in the past 6 months and sexual behaviours. Age-stratified univariable associations between RDU and behaviour were examined. GBM aged 35–44 years were the most likely to report RDU, with rates decreasing with increasing age (Ptrend < 0.001). Associations between RDU and higher-risk sexual behaviours were most consistently found among GBM aged 35–54 years.
Keywords: drug use, gay men, men who have sex with men, sexual behaviours.
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