A latent class analysis of substance use and culture among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Issue 12 (2nd December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Card, Kiffer G.; Armstrong, Heather L.; Carter, Allison; Cui, Zishan; Wang, Lu; Zhu, Julia; Lachowsky, Nathan J.; Moore, David M.; Hogg, Robert S.; Roth, Eric A.
• Is Part Of: Culture, health & sexuality. Volume 20:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1424
• Page End: 1439
• Publication Date: 2018-12-02
• Subjects: Substance use -- gay and bisexual men -- community -- latent class analysis -- Canada; Sex -- Periodicals; Sex -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Sex -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 306.705
• DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2018.1439186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-1058

Abstract

Abstract: Assessments of gay and bisexual men's substance use often obscures salient sociocultural and identity-related experiences related to how they use drugs. Latent class analysis was used to examine how patterns of substance use represent the social, economic and identity-related experiences of this population. Participants were sexually active gay and bisexual men (including other men who have sex with men), aged ≥ 16 years, living in Metro Vancouver ( n = 774). LCA indicators included all substances used in the past six months self-reported by more than 30 men. Model selection was made with consideration to model parsimony, interpretability and optimisation of statistical criteria. Multinomial regression identified factors associated with class membership. A six-class solution was identified representing: 'assorted drug use' (4.5%); 'club drug use' (9.5%); 'street drug use' (12.1%); 'sex drug use' (11.4%); 'conventional drug use' (i.e. tobacco, alcohol, marijuana; 25.9%); and 'limited drug use' (36.7%). Factors associated with class membership included age, sexual orientation, annual income, occupation, income from drug sales, housing stability, group sex event participation, gay bars/clubs attendance, sensation seeking and escape motivation. These results highlight the need for programmes and policies that seek to lessen social disparities and account for social distinctions among this population.