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01-12-2021 | Erectile Dysfunction | Research article

Delineating patterns of sexualized substance use and its association with sexual and mental health outcomes among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Singapore: a latent class analysis

Authors: Rayner Kay Jin Tan, Caitlin Alsandria O’Hara, Wee Ling Koh, Daniel Le, Avin Tan, Adrian Tyler, Calvin Tan, Chronos Kwok, Sumita Banerjee, Mee Lian Wong

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) are vulnerable to the risks associated with sexualized substance use. This is a novel study in Singapore that aims to classify patterns of sexualized substance use among YMSM, and investigate its association with sexual and mental health outcomes.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study among 570 YMSM aged 18 to 25 years old, latent class analysis (LCA) conducted to identify classes with similar patterns of sexualized substance use, across which measures of inconsistent condom use, recent STI diagnoses, past suicide ideation and depression severity were compared.

Results

LCA revealed three classes of YMSM based on types of substances ever used in sexualized contexts, which we labelled as ‘substance-naive’, ‘substance-novice’, and ‘chemsex’. Substance-naive participants (n = 404) had only ever used alcohol, while substance-novice participants (n = 143) were primarily amyl nitrite users with a small proportion who reported using chemsex-related drugs. Chemsex participants (n = 23) comprised individuals who had mostly used such drugs. Those in the chemsex group were more likely to report recent unprotected anal sex with casual partners (aPR = 3.28, 95%CI [1.85, 5.79]), depression severity (aβ = 3.69, 95%CI [0.87, 6.51]) and a history of suicide ideation (aPR = 1.64, 95%CI [1.33, 2.03]).

Conclusions

Findings of this study highlight how the use of varying substances in sexualized contexts may be classified and characterized by different sexual and mental health outcomes. Health promotion efforts should be differentiated accordingly to address the risks associated with sexualized substance use among YMSM.

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Title: Delineating patterns of sexualized substance use and its association with sexual and mental health outcomes among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Singapore: a latent class analysis
Authors: Rayner Kay Jin Tan
Caitlin Alsandria O’Hara
Wee Ling Koh
Daniel Le
Avin Tan
Adrian Tyler
Calvin Tan
Chronos Kwok
Sumita Banerjee
Mee Lian Wong
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction
Suicide
Suicide
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Mood Disorders
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Affective Disorder
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11056-5

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Delineating patterns of sexualized substance use and its association with sexual and mental health outcomes among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Singapore: a latent class analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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