Associations between Drug Use and Sexual Risk Behaviours among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Japan: Results from the Cross-Sectional LASH Study

Takeshi Miwa (), Masazumi Yamaguchi, Tomoko Ohtsuki, Gaku Oshima, Chihiro Wakabayashi, Sachiko Nosaka, Kanna Hayashi, Yuzuru Ikushima and Masayoshi Tarui
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Takeshi Miwa: Positive Living and Community Empowerment Tokyo (PLACE TOKYO), 4-11-5-403 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0075, Japan
Masazumi Yamaguchi: Hakujikai Choju Rehabilitation Hospital, 5-13-7 Shikahama, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 123-0864, Japan
Tomoko Ohtsuki: Positive Living and Community Empowerment Tokyo (PLACE TOKYO), 4-11-5-403 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0075, Japan
Gaku Oshima: School of Information and Communication, Meiji University, 1-1 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8301, Japan
Chihiro Wakabayashi: School of Health and Social Services, Saitama Prefectural University, 820 Sannomiya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama 343-8540, Japan
Sachiko Nosaka: Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, 1-2 Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Kanna Hayashi: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
Yuzuru Ikushima: Positive Living and Community Empowerment Tokyo (PLACE TOKYO), 4-11-5-403 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0075, Japan
Masayoshi Tarui: Positive Living and Community Empowerment Tokyo (PLACE TOKYO), 4-11-5-403 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0075, Japan

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 13, 1-11

Abstract: This study assessed drug use patterns among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Japan, and evaluated their potential associations with sexual risk behaviours. Between September and October 2016, study subjects were recruited through a cross-sectional survey (LASH: Love Life and Sexual Health) using a geosocial networking application for MSM. Of the participants, 25.4% (1756/6921) reported ever having used drugs, and 11.3% (780/6921) reported having done so in the past six months. Those who used drugs were more likely to have greater knowledge of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Drug use in the past six months was independently associated with each of the following sexual risk behaviours in the same period: (i) six or more sexual partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.30–3.17); (ii) condomless anal intercourse (aOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 2.43–3.42); (iii) group sex (aOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 2.22–3.05); and (iv) sex work (aOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.67–3.16). These results suggest that MSM in Japan who use drugs are more likely to report sexual risk behaviours, while also having greater knowledge of HIV/STIs. Supporting MSM to minimise the harm from drug use may be helpful in reducing HIV transmission among this priority population.

Keywords: drug use; sexual risk behaviour; men who have sex with men; HIV/AIDS; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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