While there is a lot of evidence for increased prevalence of HIV, sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health measures among MSM, who engage in chemsex, there has been little research on mental health aspects. This study aims to describe aspects of mental health among a sample of German men who have sex with men MSM who engage in chemsex and to describe potentially adverse consequences of chemsex behavior. Method: This paper refers to a subset of participants from the German Chemsex Survey , an MSM-community recruited, self-completed online survey with a self-selected convenience sample. The survey comprised different items considering recreational substance use, substance use in sexual settings, mental health, sexual transmitted infections, adverse consequences of chemsex behavior, and experiences of non-consensual sex acts. Mean scores of mental health measures were compared, as well as scores above a cut-off that indicates clinically relevant symptoms. Logistical regression was utilized to determine whether mental health measures can predict adverse consequences of engagement in chemsex behaviors. Results: A total of 1, men started the survey; 1, participants provided information on substance use. The chemsex group showed significantly higher mean scores for depression, anxiety, and somatization than the non-chemsex group, but effect sizes were low. Even though mean scores were heightened, they were still far below the cut-off for clinically relevant symptoms. The chemsex group reported significantly higher incidences of non-consensual sex acts compared with the non-chemsex group.
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In Europe, behavioural surveillance in MSM is mainly based on convenience samples of this population. Selected features of available methods for collecting behavioural data for surveillance among MSM are presented in the Table 1 below. The second table presents the best three methods proposed by the experts according to two different contexts. Table 1. Selected features of available methods for collecting behavioural data among MSM. The second table presents the best three methods proposed by the experts according to two different contexts:. Notes 1 Internet Since , the Internet has been used for behavioural surveillance in 14 European countries.
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Progress in preventing exposure to HIV among men who have unprotected anal sex with a male partner. Condoms can substantially reduce the risk of sexually transmitting HIV. Consistently and correctly using condoms is therefore important for men who have sex with men because of the high risk of HIV transmission during unprotected anal sex. In addition, men who have anal sex with other men may also have female partners, who could become infected as well. Condom use with the most recent male partner is considered a reliable indicator of longer-term behaviour. Note : countries with generalized epidemics may also have a concentrated subepidemic among men who have sex with men. If so, calculating and reporting on this indicator for this population would be valuable. Number of men who have sex with men who reported having had anal sex with a male partner in the past six months.
However, we know much less about MSM who identify as straight or heterosexual. These men, who I refer to as heterosexual-identifying men who have sex with men, or HI-MSM , are the focus of my research. However, some HI-MSM have little to no same-sex attraction or not enough, in their view, to warrant calling themselves bisexual , but still enjoy sex with other men. The sex they have with men may be experimental, or something they do together with female partners e. Sex with men may provide some HI-MSM with a sexual release they no longer get with their female partners, without the threat of emotional connection that would end that relationship. Others may just be much more relaxed about their sexuality e. In any case, their same-sex behaviour is not important enough to them to define their identity. There is an obvious challenge in studying this population, and that is: where do we find them? This is a significant factor in our current poor understanding of this population. This means they are less exposed to sexual health campaigns which are promoted in the community, are less exposed to the norms of that community e.
