Edmond P H Choi1, Pui Hing Chau2, William C W Wong3, Jojo Y Y Kowk2, Kitty W Y Choi4, Eric P F Chow5,6,7. 1. School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, 4/F, William M.W. Mong Block 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. h0714919@connect.hku.hk. 2. School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, 4/F, William M.W. Mong Block 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. 3. Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong. 4. Sticky Rice Love, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 5. Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 6. Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 7. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexualised drug use, known as 'chemsex' or 'chemfun,' is the practice of intentionally using illicit drugs before or during sexual activates to enhance sexual arousal and pleasure. International and local data have both suggested that chemsex is common among men who have sex with men (MSM). Chemsex is generally seen with the engagement of risky sexual activities and therefore poses a threat regarding the potentially increased spread of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections. However, little work has been done on the primary prevention of chemsex among MSM. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop and evaluate an interactive internet-based intervention in reducing the sexual harms of chemsex among MSM in Hong Kong, METHODS: A two-armed, randomised, parallel-group trial with a three-month follow-up period will be conducted. 250 MSM aged 18 years or the above will be recruited through local non-governmental organisations, social media and by snowballing in Hong Kong. Participants will be randomly allocated into either the intervention (n = 125) or control group (n = 125). The interactive internet-based intervention will be developed based on the theory of planned behaviours. Participants in the control group will receive a web-based intervention without any sexual health information and without any interactive components. The primary outcomes will be self-efficacy in refusing risky sexual behaviours and chemsex, as measured by the Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Sexual Safety and the Condom Self-Efficacy Scale. Subjects in both groups will be evaluated at baseline and 3 months after baseline. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first interactive internet-based intervention to specifically target chemsex among MSM. This project can help in the development and testing of culturally relevant health promotion programmes that reduce chemsex among MSM. Using an online delivery mode, the intervention is capable of reaching a large population of targets at a relatively low cost and thus has the potential to reduce the public health burden of chemsex and other risky sexual behaviours among MSM in a cost-effective manner. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International standard randomized controlled trial number (ISRCTN) registry: ISRCTN20134522 registered on 17 March 2021.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Sexualised drug use, known as 'chemsex' or 'chemfun,' is the practice of intentionally using illicit drugs before or during sexual activates to enhance sexual arousal and pleasure. International and local data have both suggested that chemsex is common among men who have sex with men (MSM). Chemsex is generally seen with the engagement of risky sexual activities and therefore poses a threat regarding the potentially increased spread of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections. However, little work has been done on the primary prevention of chemsex among MSM. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop and evaluate an interactive internet-based intervention in reducing the sexual harms of chemsex among MSM in Hong Kong, METHODS: A two-armed, randomised, parallel-group trial with a three-month follow-up period will be conducted. 250 MSM aged 18 years or the above will be recruited through local non-governmental organisations, social media and by snowballing in Hong Kong. Participants will be randomly allocated into either the intervention (n = 125) or control group (n = 125). The interactive internet-based intervention will be developed based on the theory of planned behaviours. Participants in the control group will receive a web-based intervention without any sexual health information and without any interactive components. The primary outcomes will be self-efficacy in refusing risky sexual behaviours and chemsex, as measured by the Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Sexual Safety and the Condom Self-Efficacy Scale. Subjects in both groups will be evaluated at baseline and 3 months after baseline. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first interactive internet-based intervention to specifically target chemsex among MSM. This project can help in the development and testing of culturally relevant health promotion programmes that reduce chemsex among MSM. Using an online delivery mode, the intervention is capable of reaching a large population of targets at a relatively low cost and thus has the potential to reduce the public health burden of chemsex and other risky sexual behaviours among MSM in a cost-effective manner. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International standard randomized controlled trial number (ISRCTN) registry: ISRCTN20134522 registered on 17 March 2021.
Entities:
Keywords:
Chemsex; Men who have sex with men; Risky sexual behaviours; Sexual health; Sexualised drug use
Authors: Ronan W Glynn; Niamh Byrne; Siobhan O'Dea; Adam Shanley; Mary Codd; Eamon Keenan; Mary Ward; Derval Igoe; Susan Clarke Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2017-12-07
Authors: Edmond P H Choi; Janet Y H Wong; Herman H M Lo; Wendy Wong; Jasmine H M Chio; Daniel Y T Fong Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2016-11-16 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Elske Hoornenborg; Liza Coyer; Anna van Laarhoven; Roel Achterbergh; Henry de Vries; Maria Prins; Maarten Schim van der Loeff Journal: AIDS Date: 2018-07-17 Impact factor: 4.177
Authors: Janey Sewell; Ada Miltz; Fiona C Lampe; Valentina Cambiano; Andrew Speakman; Andrew N Phillips; David Stuart; Richard Gilson; David Asboe; Nneka Nwokolo; Amanda Clarke; Simon Collins; Graham Hart; Jonathan Elford; Alison J Rodger Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2017-02-10
Authors: Ymke J Evers; Jill J H Geraets; Geneviève A F S Van Liere; Christian J P A Hoebe; Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-07-01 Impact factor: 3.240