Frequency of reported methamphetamine use linked to prevalence of clinical conditions, sexual risk behaviors, and social adversity in diverse men who have sex with men in Los Angeles

Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that reported frequency of methamphetamine use is significantly associated with measures of social adversity, sexual risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, bacterial STIs and HIV-related factors among diverse men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Data were 2428 visits from 515 mSTUDY participants (261 people living with HIV; 254 HIV-negative). mSTUDY is an ongoing longitudinal study of racially/ethnically diverse MSM in Los Angeles County. Logistic regression with random intercepts modeled associations between self-reported past 6-month methamphetamine use (none, monthly or less, weekly or more) with reported adverse social outcomes (unemployment, housing instability, intimate partner violence), sexual risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and biomarkers of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) and detectable HIV viral load (among HIV-positive). Models controlled for confirmed HIV-serostatus.

Results: Prevalence of reported monthly or less methamphetamine use was 19%; weekly or more use was 18%. Multivariable models showed escalating odds of adverse social outcomes and sexual risk behaviors (p's < 0.001) with increased methamphetamine use frequency. Frequency of methamphetamine use associated with increased odds of a positive bacterial STI test (p < .001), detectable viral load (in HIV-positive participants) (p < .001), renal condition (p = .047), neurological condition (p = .008), and psychological condition (p = .001).

Conclusions: Findings show cross-sectional links between reported methamphetamine use frequency and adverse social and health outcomes among MSM in Los Angeles and suggest there may be fewer social and physical health harms corresponding to less frequent use of methamphetamine in this group.