 |
 |
| Thousands of delegates to the International AIDS Conference filled the streets of Toronto Aug. 14 to rally for AIDS treatment. (Photo courtesy AIDS 2006) |
|
|
| | |
|
In one of the largest studies to examine the prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use among gay and bisexual men, CDC researchers announced at the conference that meth use was most often reported by white gay men between the ages of 25-34 who lived in either the western or southern regions of the U.S.
“It seems like other geographical regions are catching up with the West,” said CDC researcher Patrick Sullivan, who noted that the meth epidemic has long been thought to be concentrated on the West Coast.
The study of more than 11,300 gay and bisexual men in 15 states revealed that 14 percent of respondents admitted using crystal meth, also called “T” or “Tina,” in the last 12 months, with those who were HIV-positive more than twice as likely to report using the drug.
Another finding from the study was that HIV-positive meth users were more likely to engage in unprotected insertive anal intercourse, while HIV-negative users were more likely to engage in unprotected receptive anal intercourse.
The study “confirms some things people found in earlier studies, but it confirms it on a larger scale,” Sullivan said. “It helps us understand how common the behavior is.”
The CDC study was released a week after researchers at the University of Buffalo announced “the first evidence” that using meth causes physiological effects that make it easier to contract HIV.
The study reported that meth increases the functioning of a receptor called DC-SIGN, which allows dendritic cells to absorb more particles of HIV without the body mounting a resistance.
“This finding shows that using meth is doubly dangerous,” said Madhavan Nair, the lead researcher on the study, which will be published in the September issue of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.
“Meth reduces inhibitions, thus increasing the likelihood of risky sexual behavior and the potential to introduce the virus into the body, and at the same time allows more virus to get into the cell,” Nair said. |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| | |
HOME > NEWS > HEALTH NEWS
By: RYAN LEE COMMENTS
 
continued...
for HIV — resulted in “significant reductions” in the percentage of black gay men ages 18-34 in North Carolina who reported having unprotected anal intercourse.
“While maintaining core elements of POL, we then modified the intervention to include discussions and images, and address topics, relevant to black [men who have sex with men],” the CDC researchers wrote. “[The rate of] unprotected receptive anal intercourse decreased by 23.6 percent at four months, by 24.6 percent at eight months and by 44.5 percent at 12 months.
“We concluded that adapting evidence-based interventions is a key step in increasing the number of interventions for black [gay and bisexual men],” the study said.
HIV rates rise around
the globe for gay men
Globally, the rate of HIV among gay and bisexual men has increased in Canada, Britain, Australia and many other industrialized countries, with the U.S. leading the way, according to O’Reilly.
As many as one-quarter of gay and bisexual men in some Asian countries are HIV-positive, according to a study released at the International AIDS Conference by the Foundation for AIDS Research, also known as amfAR.
With much gay activity in Asia restricted “underground,” the report predicted the continent could “face a spiraling epidemic that could be far worse than any seen in gay communities in the West.”
“Given the difficulty of surveillance in these populations, rates of HIV infection could actually be far worse,” said Kevin Frost, vice president of global initiatives at amfAR. “This report shines a light on the extent of high-risk [gay and bisexual] behavior, and serves as a wake-up call for Asia.”
According to the 23-country study, HIV rates among gay and bisexual men in Asia varies from 3.1 percent in China, to 28.3 percent in Bangkok, Thailand. The study also revealed low levels of condom and lubricant use among many Asian gay men, as well as high numbers of sexual partners.
“There’s a huge HIV prevention services gap to close” in developing countries, said O’Reilly, who added Asian some countries are making strides in reducing HIV.
|
