Historique
Article de Périodique
Prevalence of chemsex and sexualized drug use among men who have sex with men: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2025)
Auteur(s) :
GEORGIADIS, N. ;
KATSIMPRIS, A. ;
VATMANIDOU, M. A. ;
VASSILAKOU, T. ;
BELOUKAS, A. ;
SERGENTANIS, T. N.
Année
2025
Page(s) :
art. 112800
Sous-type de document :
Méta-analyse / Meta-analysis ; Revue de la littérature / Literature review
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Discipline :
EPI (Epidémiologie / Epidemiology)
Thésaurus mots-clés
CHEMSEX
;
HSH
;
PREVALENCE
;
DROGUES DE SYNTHESE
;
METHAMPHETAMINE
;
GHB
;
MEPHEDRONE
;
KETAMINE
;
COCAINE
;
AMPHETAMINE
;
MDMA-ECSTASY
;
CANNABIS
;
SEXUALITE
;
ACTIVITE SEXUELLE
Résumé :
Background: Sexualized drug use (SDU), including chemsex, is prevalent within LGBTQI+ communities, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study conducts the first systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the global prevalence of SDU and chemsex among MSM.
Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Scopus with no language restrictions until April 1, 2024. We included studies that reported the prevalence of chemsex, overall SDU and SDU specifically regarding crystal methamphetamine, gamma hydroxybutyrate/ gamma butyrolactone (GHB/GBL), mephedrone, ketamine, cocaine, amphetamine, alkyl nitrites (poppers), ecstasy/MDMA and marijuana. Data were extracted independently by two researchers and analyzed using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed according to MSM population categories, region and time period of reporting.
Results: A total of 238 studies (380,505 participants) met inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of chemsex in MSM was 0.22 (95% CI:0.19-0.25), while SDU had a pooled prevalence of 0.25 (95% CI:0.23-0.28). Methamphetamine use for sex showed a pooled prevalence of 0.08 (95% CI:0.07-0.10), GHB/GBL 0.13 (95% CI:0.10-0.16), mephedrone 0.07 (95% CI:0.05-0.10), and ketamine 0.04 (95% CI:0.03-0.06). Cocaine use for sex demonstrated a pooled prevalence of 0.10 (95% CI:0.08-0.13), alkyl nitrites 0.23 (95% CI:0.19-0.27), amphetamine 0.05 (95% CI:0.03-0.08), ecstasy/MDMA 0.09 (95% CI:0.07-0.11), and marijuana 0.18 (95% CI:0.15-0.20).
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the high prevalence of chemsex and sexualized drug use among MSM, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive education on substance-related risks to encourage safer sex practices. [Author's abstract]
Highlights:
First global meta-analysis of chemsex and SDU prevalence in MSM across 238 studies.
Chemsex prevalence: 22%; SDU prevalence: 25% among 380,505 MSM participants.
Subgroup analyses done by MSM population, region, and time period of reporting.
Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Scopus with no language restrictions until April 1, 2024. We included studies that reported the prevalence of chemsex, overall SDU and SDU specifically regarding crystal methamphetamine, gamma hydroxybutyrate/ gamma butyrolactone (GHB/GBL), mephedrone, ketamine, cocaine, amphetamine, alkyl nitrites (poppers), ecstasy/MDMA and marijuana. Data were extracted independently by two researchers and analyzed using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed according to MSM population categories, region and time period of reporting.
Results: A total of 238 studies (380,505 participants) met inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of chemsex in MSM was 0.22 (95% CI:0.19-0.25), while SDU had a pooled prevalence of 0.25 (95% CI:0.23-0.28). Methamphetamine use for sex showed a pooled prevalence of 0.08 (95% CI:0.07-0.10), GHB/GBL 0.13 (95% CI:0.10-0.16), mephedrone 0.07 (95% CI:0.05-0.10), and ketamine 0.04 (95% CI:0.03-0.06). Cocaine use for sex demonstrated a pooled prevalence of 0.10 (95% CI:0.08-0.13), alkyl nitrites 0.23 (95% CI:0.19-0.27), amphetamine 0.05 (95% CI:0.03-0.08), ecstasy/MDMA 0.09 (95% CI:0.07-0.11), and marijuana 0.18 (95% CI:0.15-0.20).
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the high prevalence of chemsex and sexualized drug use among MSM, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive education on substance-related risks to encourage safer sex practices. [Author's abstract]
Highlights:
First global meta-analysis of chemsex and SDU prevalence in MSM across 238 studies.
Chemsex prevalence: 22%; SDU prevalence: 25% among 380,505 MSM participants.
Subgroup analyses done by MSM population, region, and time period of reporting.
Affiliation :
Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
National AIDS Reference Centre of Southern Greece, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
National AIDS Reference Centre of Southern Greece, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece