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This original study compares the prevalences of drug use for any purpose and for sexualized drug use (SDU) among MSM. It also describes relevant characteristics of first SDU, analyzes to what extent SDU has been the first experience (the gateway) with different drugs by age and explores the correlates of SDU. Study participants included 2,919 HIV-negative MSM attending four HIV/STI diagnosis services in Madrid and Barcelona. They answered an online, self-administered questionnaire. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used. About 81.4% had ever used any drug, and 71.9% had done so in the last-12-months, while 56% had ever engaged in SDU, and 50% had done so in the last-12-months. Participants under 25 years old had the lowest prevalences of SDU, and the 25–39 age group the highest, except for Viagra, which was higher among those over age 40. The most frequently used drugs for first SDU were poppers (53.6%), cannabis (19.6%) and Viagra (12.2%). These drugs were also the most ever consumed for SDU. Among sexualized users, methamphetamine (78.3%) and Mephedrone (75.4%) were used always/most of the times for sex in the last-12-months. Around 72.2% of Mephedrone sexualized users and 69.6% of Methamphetamine vs 23.1% of ecstasy users' first consumption of these drugs involved use for sex. These drugs were provided to them free where they have sex for 66.8, 79.1, and 31.9%, respectively. On that occasion, 8.1% of Mephedrone, 6.8% of Methamphetamine and 18.4% of ecstasy users had sex only with steady partner; with 50.2, 56.2, and 26.2% respectively using a condom with any partner. SDU in the first use was associated with similar variables for recreational and chemsex drugs. The highest prevalence ratios were for having ever been penetrated by >20 men and having ever injected drugs. It can be concluded that the prevalence of SDU was more than half of the prevalence for any purpose. Thus SDU was the gateway to use for many drugs in an important proportion of users, who frequently consumed drugs that were free and had condomless anal sex with occasional and multiple partners. These circumstances were much more common for chemsex than for recreational drugs.

BackgroundUS and Northern European studies have found a higher prevalence of alcohol-related problems among men who have sex with men (MSM) than among the general population of men (GPM). However, most of them relied on traditional sampling methods, not profiting from MSM dating apps and websites for recruitment. Besides, analogous comparisons in Southern Europe are lacking. ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare several indicators of excessive drinking between MSM and GPM in Spain. MethodsOverall, 5862 MSM were recruited through dating apps or websites for the Méthysos Project, and 10,349 GPM were recruited using probability sampling via the Household Survey on Alcohol and Drugs in Spain from 2018 to 2020. The outcomes were the prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] ≥8), hazardous drinking (AUDIT-Consumption ≥4), harmful drinking (AUDIT-Problem ≥4), regular hazardous drinking (>14 standard drinks per week), and monthly binge drinking. The prevalence of excessive drinking indicators was calculated for MSM and GPM and compared using the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR). Two different aPRs and their 95% CIs were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance. The first was adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, and the second was adjusted for the aforementioned covariates plus other drug use. ResultsThe prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking was 15.6% (913/5862) among MSM versus 7.7% (902/10,349) among GPM. After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, the risk was higher in MSM than in GPM for harmful or hazardous drinking (aPR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-2.0), harmful drinking (aPR 2.3, 95% CI 2.0-2.7), and binge drinking (aPR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.9); the same in both populations for hazardous drinking (aPR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9-1.0); and higher in GPM than in MSM for regular hazardous drinking (aPR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.9). The relative excess risk of harmful drinking and binge drinking among MSM tended to increase with increasing education level and size of the place of residence, and the opposite was true for the deficit risk in regular hazardous drinking. Additional adjustment for other drug use greatly buffered the relative excess risk in harmful drinking and binge drinking in MSM, while it deepened its deficit risk in regular hazardous drinking. ConclusionsThe use of web-based resources allowed recruiting a large sample of MSM. The risk of hazardous or harmful drinking was 80% greater in MSM than in GPM, which was mainly because of the higher risk of harmful drinking and binge drinking among MSM. Nearly 1 in 6 MSM would benefit from early brief alcohol intervention procedures. The subgroup with harmful or binge drinking combined with other drug use is an important contributor to excess MSM risk in hazardous or harmful drinking and must be a priority target for harm reduction interventions.

Abstract Background We estimate the prevalence of drug injection, the variables associated with having ever injected and the proportion of ever injectors whose first drug injection was for having sex; we describe the first drug injection episode, analyze the drugs most frequently injected and estimate the prevalence of risky injecting behaviors. Methods The participants were 3387 MSM without a previous HIV diagnosis attending four HIV/STI diagnosis services in Madrid and Barcelona. Lifetime prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) by different factors were calculated using Poisson regression models with robust variance. We compared the characteristics of first drug injection episode, lifetime injection and risky injecting behaviors of those whose first injection was for sex (FIS) with those whose was not (non-FIS). Results Lifetime prevalence of injection was 2.1% (CI 1.7–2.7). In the multivariate analysis, it was strongly associated with having been penetrated by more than five men in the last 12 months (aPR = 10.4; CI 2.5–43.4) and having met most of their partners at private parties (aPR = 7.5; CI 4.5–12.3), and less strongly with other factors. Of those who had ever injected drugs, 81.9% injected for sex the first time they injected drugs (FIS). At first injection, FIS participants had a mean age of 31 years, 62.7% used mephedrone and 32.2% methamphetamine on that occasion. Of this FIS group 39.0% had ever shared drugs or equipment and 82.6% had always shared for sex. Some 30.8% of non-FIS reported having also injected drugs for sex later on. Conclusions Only two out of a hundred had ever injected, most to have sex and with frequent drug or injecting equipment sharing. Injecting for sex is the most common first episode of drug injection and is the most efficient risky behavior for the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B or C and other blood-borne infections. MSM participating in private parties should be considered a priority group for prevention policies.

ObjectivesHIV self-testing has been available in Spain since 2017 as a diagnostic tool to promote earlier diagnosis. We aimed to assess awareness and previous use of HIV self-testing in a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited online more than 2 years after its legal authorization in Spain.MethodsWe analyzed 5,492 MSM recruited between May and July 2020 in gay dating apps/websites and other social networks. We estimated the proportion of participants who were aware of the existence of HIV self-testing and the proportion who reported previous use. To identify factors associated with both outcomes we built two Poisson regression models. Among those who reported previous use we described several aspects related to their last self-test.ResultsAwareness of HIV self-test was reported by 29.7% and its previous use by 5% of participants. Awareness was independently associated with recruitment in gay dating apps/websites, being ≥40 years old, born in Spain-other European countries, having higher educational level, living in medium-small municipalities and living sex life openly. Independent associations were also found with having received a sexually transmitted infection diagnosis (STI) or an HIV negative test in the last 12 months, and being HIV positive. Use was significantly higher among participants who were paid for sex or diagnosed with an STI in the last 12 months and who received their last HIV test in the preceding year. Self-testing occurred recently, with kits acquired at pharmacies and carried out alone.ConclusionAwareness and use probably have not increased sufficiently in order to make a relevant impact to the promotion of early HIV diagnosis. Additional efforts, mainly focused on less favored MSM, should be made to take better advantage of the possibilities offered by this testing option.

Abstract Background We analyse unprotected anal intercourses (UAI) self-reported by a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM), by their future testing intentions and past testing history to identify undertested subpopulations that could be contributing to onward transmission. Methods We recruited MSM through gay dating websites in Spain from September 2012 to April 2013. For MSM at risk of acquiring or unknowingly transmitting HIV (at risk hereafter) we calculate time at risk, number of UAI in the last 12 months and last 5 years by testing intention (low intention (LI), Medium intention (MI), high intention (HI)) and past testing history. For never testers we analyse the reasons for not having been tested. Results Of 3272 MSM at risk, 19.8% reported LI of testing. MSM with LI reported the longest period at risk (8.49 years (p

BackgroundWe assessed the capacity of HIV self-testing to promote testing among untested men who have sex with men (MSM) and determined the most benefited subpopulations.MethodsAn online questionnaire was disseminated on several gay websites in Spain from September 2012 to April 2013. We used Poisson regression to estimate factors associated with the intention to use self-testing if already available. Among those who reported intention of use, we assessed several aspects related to the testing and linkage to care process by type of barrier reported: low perceived risk (LR), structural barriers (SB) and fear of testing positive (FTP).ResultsOf 2589 never-tested MSM, 83% would have used self-testing if already available. Intention of use was associated with age ≥30 (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.01-1.10), having had protected (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.15, 1.02-1.30) or unprotected (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.21, 1.07-1.37) anal intercourse and reporting FTP (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.05-1.20) or SB to access HIV testing (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.23, 1.19-1.28). Among those who reported intention of using a self-testi, 78.3% declared it their preferred option (83.8% in the SB group; pConclusionHIV self-testing in Spain has the potential of becoming a highly used testing methodology for untested MSM and could represent the gateway to testing especially among older, at risk MSM who report SB or FTP as main barriers to testing.

Abstract BackgroundChemsex prevalence is still not well known, and both the lack of homogeneity and cultural component of chemsex practices are usually overlooked. ObjectiveThis study aims to estimate the proportion of sexual minority men (SMM) engaging in chemsex sessions, while understanding the cultural dimension of chemsex, and to analyze distinct session typologies with potential risk differences and the sociodemographic factors associated with engaging in them. MethodsA total of 5711 SMM residing throughout Spain participated in an anonymous web-based survey that assessed chemsex session engagement and characteristics, drug use, and sociodemographic variables. We measured the association of sociodemographic factors with engaging in chemsex sessions by calculating adjusted prevalence ratios, using multivariate Poisson regression analysis. Chemsex typologies were analyzed using latent class analysis, and sociodemographic factors were associated with the different risk classes. ResultsOur results determined that 21.1% (1205/5711; 95% CI 20.0%‐22.1%) of SMM engaged in chemsex sessions during their lifetime. Participating in sessions was significantly associated with being a migrant, not having a comfortable financial situation, openly living their sexuality, residing in bigger municipalities, older age, using steroids, and living with HIV (adjusted prevalence ratio: range 1.17-2.01; all P ConclusionsChemsex is relatively common among SMM in Spain, but it is important to differentiate typologies of sessions with varying risks, and the proportion of SMM engaging in high-risk sessions is low. Chemsex is highly associated with sociodemographic factors. Chemsex should be prioritized in public health programs, which should consider the different forms of sessions with their varying risks and prevalence, while also considering the cultural dimension inherent to chemsex.

Introduction: Patients seeking first time treatment for opioid consumption reflect the characteristics of the consumer population. This group has not been studied in Spain in decades. The objective of this study was to characterize the opioid user population seeking first time treatment (incidents) and compare them group with those with prior treatment (prevalents). Methods: Cross-sectional study (N = 3325) with patients with opioid addiction seeking care at public addiction centers in the Community of Madrid from 2017 through 2019. Differentiation and comparisons were carried out using bivariate analysis, adjusted by sociodemographic characteristics related and those related to substance use consumption in incident and prevalent patients. Results: About 12.2% were incidents. Compared to prevalents, there were more foreigners (34.1% vs 19.1% P .001). Discussion: New patients presented a profile with many stable characteristics, but which highlighted an increase in the use of other opioids, as occurs in the international context. Surveillance of the new patient characteristics can serve as an early indicator of consumption changes in. Thus, periodic monitoring is important.

BackgroundQuestion-order changes in repeated surveys can distort comparisons. We want to describe the evolution of drug risk perceptions among Spanish adolescents and assessing whether the 2006 peaks in perceived risk of occasional drug use can be explained by question-order changes.MethodsThe subjects were secondary students from a biennial national survey during 2000–2012. A one-off intervention was applied in 2006, replacing the two-adjacent items on perceived risk of occasional and regular use of each drug by non-adjacent items. Annual prevalence of high-risk perception were obtained for occasional and regular use of cannabis, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy. Subsequently, the 2006 percent level change (PC) in such were estimated prevalence using segmented Poisson regression, adjusting for various student and parent covariates.ResultsThe 2006 PC in prevalence of high-risk perception of occasional drug use ranged from +63% (heroin) to +83% (ecstasy). These PCs were very high in all considered subgroups. However, the 2006 PC in prevalence of high-risk perception of regular drug use ranged from 1% (heroin) to 12% (cannabis). The evolution of preventive interventions does not suggest alternative causal hypotheses for 2006 peaks other than question-order changes.ConclusionWithin the cognitive heuristics framework, the 2006 spikes in perceived risk of occasional drug use were most likely due to a release of the anchor exerted by perceived risk of regular drug use over that of occasional use triggered by 2006 question-order changes. In repeated surveys it is inexcusable to pre-test the effect of any change in questionnaire format.