Background and Objectives
Methamphetamine (meth) use and its related risk behaviors for HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) are a public health concern across the Mexico‐US border. This study aims to contribute to the limited literature of meth use and sexual risk behaviors among Latino MSM on the Mexico‐US border.
Methods
Data were drawn from the Meth Pilot Study (2014‐2015) among men who use meth (n = 100). Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis comparing MSM to non‐MSM were conducted using Pearson’s χ
2 test, Fisher’s exact tests, and Mann‐Whitney U test; all tests were conducted using SPSS v.25.
Results
Most participants obtained meth in El Paso, Texas (87.2%), used meth orally (65.2%) or smoked (78.3%), and the most common reason for initiation was curiosity. Significant differences (P < .05) in meth use behaviors and sexual risk behaviors between MSM and non‐MSM who used meth included: median number of sex partners (7 vs 3), being penetrated anally by last sexual partner (31.6% vs 1.4%), and engaging in transactional sex ever (63.2% vs 9.6%) and past 12 months (52.6% vs 6.8%). Finally, rates of HIV positivity were higher among MSM than non‐MSM (10.5% vs 1.4%).
Discussion and Conclusions
Among men who use meth, MSM are engaging in higher HIV risk behaviors compared with non‐MSM. Understanding these risks could help identify candidates for pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and evidence‐based substance use disorder treatment options.
Scientific Significance
This study reveals that Latino MSM who use meth is a high‐risk group for HIV and a need for tailored interventions. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)