HIV incidence and recreational drug use among men who have sex with men aged 18-24 years in Tianjin, China: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Recreational drug use has been identified as a significant risk factor for the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This behavior is particularly prevalent among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). However, limited research has been conducted to investigate the correlation between recreational drug use and HIV incidence within this population.

Objective: To examine HIV incidence and explore the association between recreational drug use and HIV incidence among YMSM.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by a local non-governmental organization (NGO) among MSM aged 18-24 years from October 2017 to December 2023 in Tianjin, China. Participants were included if they had at least two HIV test records during this period. HIV incidence density and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using person-years (PYs) with a Poisson distribution. Risk factors for HIV incidence were identified using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results: A total of 56 HIV seroconversions were reported with 2901.9 PYs, resulting in an overall incidence density of 1.9/100 PYs (95% CI: 1.4-2.4). Among YMSM who do not use recreational drugs (YMSM-URD), the incidence density was 1.1/100 PYs (95% CI: 0.5-1.6), while it was 2.8/100 PYs (95% CI: 1.9-3.7) among those who do use recreational drugs (YMSM-RD). Adjusted for confounders, factors associated with HIV infection included recreational drug use (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4-4.7) and unprotected anal intercourse in the past six months (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2-4.4).

Conclusions: Recreational drug use and unprotected anal intercourse significantly increase the risk of HIV infection. To effectively mitigate the spread of HIV, interventions should focus on these risk factors by employing HIV counseling and testing clinics, collaborating with NGOs focused on MSM, and establishing peer education programs aimed at YMSM.