Drug-using men who have sex with men : sexual behaviours and sexual identities

S. Deren, M. Stark, F. Rhodes, H. Siegal, Cottler, M. Wood

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and use drugs are at high risk for HIV. This study assessed drug and sex-related risk behaviours and sexual identities for MSM drug injectors and crack smokers. One hundred and forty four MSM drug injectors and crack smokers from five USA cities were interviewed. One-third of the men were current injectors, twice as many reported lifetime injection. Most (56%) reported sex with women in the prior year; sex trading was reported by 32% with males and 53% with females. There were significant differences between private and public sexual identities. For example, while 31% reported being behaviourally bisexual, only 17% identified themselves to others as bisexual. Drug using MSM are clearly a heterogenous group and prevention messages addressing this diversity are needed.L.