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- Title
The CASTRO study: Unsafe sexual behaviors and illicit drug use among gay and bisexual men who use anabolic steroids.
- Authors
Ip, Eric J.; Doroudgar, Shadi; Shah‐Manek, Bijal; Barnett, Mitchell J.; Tenerowicz, Michael J.; Ortanez, Marvin; Pope, Harrison G.; Shah-Manek, Bijal; Pope, Harrison G Jr
- Abstract
<bold>Background and Objectives: </bold>The majority of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) studies have focused on the general male population. Approximately 15% of gay or bisexual men are seropositive for HIV and many AASs are administered via injection. Thus, AAS use among gay and bisexual men likely poses a greater risk of spreading infectious disease. Gay and bisexual men who use AAS were compared with non-users regarding self-reported seropositivity for HIV and hepatitis B and C, sexual behaviors and injection practices, illicit drug and alcohol use, and psychiatric disorders.<bold>Methods: </bold>The CASTRO (Castro Anabolic Steroid Research Observation) study was a 108-item cross-sectional survey of 153 gay and bisexual men who exercise. Data collection occurred outside four gyms in the San Francisco Castro District.<bold>Results: </bold>The lifetime prevalence of AAS use among gay and bisexual men in the study was 21.6%. AAS users and non-users did not differ in self-reported seropositivity for HIV or hepatitis B and C, but AAS users reported higher rates of male-male condomless anal sex in the past year (84.8 vs 60.8%, p < .01) than non-users. More AAS users used ecstasy and methamphetamines (39.4 vs 16.7%, p < .01 and 18.2 vs 5.0%, p = .01, respectively) than non-users.<bold>Discussion and Conclusions: </bold>Gay and bisexual men who used AAS were more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors and use illicit drugs relative to non-users. Multiple factors place AAS users at higher risks for spreading infectious diseases.<bold>Scientific Significant: </bold>Our study suggests increased infectious disease risk among gay and bisexual men who use AAS. (Am J Addict 2019;XX:1-10).
- Subjects
MEN'S sexual behavior; HUMAN sexuality; DRUG abuse; BISEXUAL men; GAY men; ANABOLIC steroids
- Publication
American Journal on Addictions, 2019, Vol 28, Issue 2, p101
- ISSN
1055-0496
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1111/ajad.12865