Observational studyPloS one2020
Attitude and beliefs about the social environment associated with chemsex among MSM visiting STI clinics in the Netherlands: An observational study.
Observational study in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 24 citations in OpenAlex.
- Mental Health Symptoms Associated with Sexualized Drug Use (Chemsex) among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Pooled it
- Experiences and coping behaviours of clients with sexually transmitted infections in Malawi.Health SA = SA Gesondheid · 2026Article
- Chemsex and sexual risk behavior among MSM on PrEP in Stockholm, Sweden.Drug and alcohol dependence reports · 2025Article
- Drugs Used in "Chemsex"/Sexualized Drug Behaviour-Overview of the Related Clinical Psychopharmacological Issues.Brain sciences · 2025Review
- Barriers and facilitators to addressing mental health needs among Asian, Black and Latin American men who have sex with men (MSM) in England and Wales: A qualitative study.PLOS mental health · 2025Article
- Psychoactive Substance Use and the Impact on the AIDS Epidemic Among the MSM Population: a Meta-Analysis - Worldwide, 2014-2023.China CDC weekly · 2024Article
- Article
- Chemsex and its repercussions on the health of men who have sex with men (MSM): a global health perspective.Revista brasileira de enfermagem · 2023Article
- Hi-fun among men who have sex with men in Bangkok: A scoping study exploring key informants' perspectives on hi-fun contexts, harms and support strategies.PLOS global public health · 2023Article
- Sexualized Drug Use and Chemsex: Their Association with Sexual Health Among Men who have Sex with Men Living in Greece.International journal of sexual health : official journal of the World Association for Sexual Health · 2022Article
- Article
- A Longitudinal Investigation of Chemsex and Its Relationship with Depressive Symptoms Among Gay, Bisexual Men and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan.Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS CareArticle
- Intention to use PrEP among men who have sex with men and engage in chemsex: an international descriptive study.Therapeutic advances in infectious diseaseArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDrug use during sex, 'chemsex', is common among men who have sex with men (MSM) and related to sexual and mental health harms. This study assessed associations between chemsex and a wide range of determinants among MSM visiting STI clinics to increase understanding of characteristics and beliefs of MSM practicing chemsex.
methodsIn 2018, 785 MSM were recruited at nine Dutch STI clinics; 368 (47%) fully completed the online questionnaire. All participants reported to have had sex in the past six months. Chemsex was defined as using cocaine, crystal meth, designer drugs, GHB/GBL, ketamine, speed or XTC/MDMA during sex in the past six months. Associations between chemsex and psychosocial determinants, socio-demographics, sexual behaviour and using tobacco or alcohol were assessed by multivariable logistic regression analyses.
resultsChemsex was reported by 44% of MSM (161/368) and was not associated with socio-demographics. Independent determinants were 'believing that the majority of friends/sex partners use drugs during sex' (descriptive norm) (aOR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.43-2.65), 'believing that sex is more fun when using drugs' (attitude) (aOR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.50-2.84), using tobacco (aOR: 2.65, 95%CI: 1.32-5.32), multiple sex partners (aOR: 2.69, 95%CI: 1.21-6.00), group sex (aOR: 4.65, 95%CI: 1.54-14.05) and using online dating platforms (aOR: 2.73, 95%CI: 1.13-6.62).
conclusionMSM are likely to find themselves in distinct social networks where it is the norm to use drugs when having sex and pleasure is linked to chemsex. Health services should acknowledge the social influence and pleasurable experiences to increase acceptability of strategies aimed at minimizing the possible harms of chemsex.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.