Stimulant use during sex (chemsex) among men who have sex with men and associated factors in Can Tho City in 2021

Abstract

Stimulant use during sex (chemsex) among men who have sex with men (MSM) carries potential health risks, increasing the risk of HIV transmission and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aims to describe Stimulant use during sex (chemsex) among men who have sex with men and associated factors in Can Tho city in 2021. A cross - sectional study was conducted among 300 MSM aged from 16 years old and older through the HIV/ STI integrated behavioral sentinel surveillance in 2021 in Can Tho. The results showed that the percentage of MSM who had ever used chemsex was 20.3%. Factors increased the risk of chemsex were having less than a high school education (ORHC= 3.04; 95%CI: 1.13 - 8.19) and using social networks to seek sexual partner (ORHC= 3.90; 95%CI: 1.72 - 8.82). The HIV/STI prevention interventions for MSM should pay more attention to those who having chemsex, with lower high school education and using social media to seeking sex partners.