Substance Use, Sexual Behaviour & Prevention Strategies of Vancouver Gay & Bisexual Men Who Recently Attended Group Sex Events

Group sex events are an epidemiologically important part of some gay and bisexual men's sexual culture in Canada. Associated with condomless anal intercourse and polysubstance use, such events have been cited as disproportionally contributing to HIV infection rates. 

We analysed questionnaire data from the Momentum Health Study in Vancouver, Canada, to understand substance use, sexual behaviour, psychosocial variables (Sexual Sensation Seeking, Sexual Escape Motivation, Treatment Optimism) and HIV prevention strategies (sero-sorting, strategic positioning, avoiding anal sex, disclosure, treatment as prevention) of men attending such events, which were defined as group (n ≥ 4 partners) sex parties, blackout events and darkrooms. Analysis by multivariable logistic regression compared men attending group sex events within the past six months (n = 180) with non-attendees (n = 539). 

Results showed that attendees reported:

1. significantly higher use of sex drugs and alcohol consumption, 
2. higher scores on the Sexual Sensation Scale, more anal sex partners, greater odds of any condomless anal sex with sero-discordant partners and greater odds of reporting fisting and sex toy use and
3. different prevention practices that varied by HIV-serostatus. 

Findings are interpreted in light of the importance of pleasure, sociality and HIV/STI prevention strategies associated with group sex events. 

Findings contribute to the development of appropriate education and intervention for attendees.

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By: Rich AJ1, Lachowsky NJ1,2, Cui Z1, Sereda P1, Lal A1, Birch R3,4, Montaner J1,2, Moore D1,2, Hogg RS1,5, Roth EA3,4.

• 1a Department of Epidemiology and Population Health , BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada.
• 2b Faculty of Medicine , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
• 3d Department of Anthropology , University of Victoria , Victoria , Canada.
• 4e Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia , University of Victoria , Victoria , Canada.
• 5c Faculty of Health Sciences , Simon Fraser University , Burnaby , Canada. 

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