Richard J Martino1, Stephanie Shiau2, Kristen D Krause3, Perry N Halkitis4. 1. Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States. 2. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States. 3. Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States; Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States. 4. Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States; Department of Urban-Global Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States. Electronic address: perry.halkitis@rutgers.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Knowledge on methamphetamine use among a new generation of sexual minority men (SMM) is limited. This study describes the event-level patterns of methamphetamine use and characteristics of methamphetamine users across time among Millennial SMM emerging into adulthood. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in two waves: 2009-2014 (Wave I) and 2014-2019 (Wave II) in the New York City metropolitan area. A total of 600 Millennial SMM ages 18-19 years were recruited for Wave I. A total of 665 SMM ages 22-23 years were recruited for Wave II, of which 41.2% (n = 274) were retained from Wave I. The Timeline Followback assessment was conducted every six months to record event-level drug use in the 30 days prior to the visit. RESULTS: A total of 5.4% of participants of between the ages of 18-27 reported methamphetamine use throughout the study period. The average number of days of methamphetamine use was significantly higher among racial/ethnic minority men in Wave II (F = 4.34, p = 0.0029). We found methamphetamine use occurred more often on weekend days and same-day use of methamphetamine occurred most often with cannabis and gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Usage of methamphetamine was significantly greater among SMM in Wave II who by design were older than Wave I. CONCLUSION: We have identified differences in methamphetamine use by race/ethnicity. Weekend use and poly-drug use were common among methamphetamine-using SMM. Data indicate differential use in the population and that attempts to address this addictive behavior must be linked to other drug use and socialization among young SMM.
INTRODUCTION: Knowledge on methamphetamine use among a new generation of sexual minority men (SMM) is limited. This study describes the event-level patterns of methamphetamine use and characteristics of methamphetamine users across time among Millennial SMM emerging into adulthood. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in two waves: 2009-2014 (Wave I) and 2014-2019 (Wave II) in the New York City metropolitan area. A total of 600 Millennial SMM ages 18-19 years were recruited for Wave I. A total of 665 SMM ages 22-23 years were recruited for Wave II, of which 41.2% (n = 274) were retained from Wave I. The Timeline Followback assessment was conducted every six months to record event-level drug use in the 30 days prior to the visit. RESULTS: A total of 5.4% of participants of between the ages of 18-27 reported methamphetamine use throughout the study period. The average number of days of methamphetamine use was significantly higher among racial/ethnic minority men in Wave II (F = 4.34, p = 0.0029). We found methamphetamine use occurred more often on weekend days and same-day use of methamphetamine occurred most often with cannabis and gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Usage of methamphetamine was significantly greater among SMM in Wave II who by design were older than Wave I. CONCLUSION: We have identified differences in methamphetamine use by race/ethnicity. Weekend use and poly-drug use were common among methamphetamine-using SMM. Data indicate differential use in the population and that attempts to address this addictive behavior must be linked to other drug use and socialization among young SMM.
Authors: Michael Viamonte; Delaram Ghanooni; John M Reynolds; Christian Grov; Adam W Carrico Journal: Curr HIV/AIDS Rep Date: 2022-06-14 Impact factor: 5.495