Club drug use and associated high-risk sexual behaviour in six provinces in China

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of the different club drugs and associated high-risk sexual behaviours in China.

Design: Multicentre cross-sectional study.

Setting: Drug Detoxification and Rehabilitation Centres in six provinces, China.

Participants: A total of 1434 eligible club drug users were included.

Measurements: Participants were investigated by trained interviewers using a self-designed structured questionnaire to collect information on club drug use and associated behaviours.

Findings: Methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug in participants (73.92%), who used it in their or their friends' homes by non-injection for the purpose of feeling euphoria. Among participants with sexual behaviours after club drug use, 75.21% reported having engaged in sex with multiple partners after club drug use during the past year and 79.84% had unprotected sex after using club drug during the past year. A two-level logistic model showed that male gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=7.14; 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.17-12.5], unmarried (AOR=1.71, 95% CI=1.04-2.79), long duration of club drug use during their life-time (AOR=1.76, 95% CI=1.28-2.42) and severe acute intoxication after using club drugs during the past year (AOR=2.11, 95% CI=1.07-4.15) were independent risk factors of multiple sex partners during the past year. Another two-level model showed that the club drug users who were female (AOR=1.79, 95% CI=1.03-3.11) and had polydrug use during their lifetime (AOR=1.55, 95% CI=1.01-2.34) had more risk for unprotected sex during the past year than without these characteristics.

Conclusion: High-risk sexual behaviours are common among club drug users in China. The prevention and intervention of club drug use could decrease the risk of sexual behaviours which further prevent HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections in China.

Keywords: China; club drug use; methamphetamine; risk factor; sexual behaviour; sexually transmitted infections; unprotected sex.