Injection drug use, unknown HIV positive status, and self-reported current PrEP use among Black men who have sex with men attending U.S. Black pride events, 2014–2017. (1st February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maksut, Jessica L.; Gicquelais, Rachel E.; Jackman, Kevon-Mark; Eaton, Lisa A.; Friedman, M. Revel; Matthews, Derrick D.; Bukowski, Leigh A.; Stall, Ron D.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 207(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02-01
• Subjects: Black men who have sex with men (MSM) -- MSM who inject drugs -- Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 3.6% of BMSM injected drugs in their lifetime. 58.5% of BMSM who injected drugs reported sharing syringes in the past 6 months. 31.7% of BMSM who injected drugs had an unknown HIV positive status. BMSM who injected drugs had higher levels of PrEP use than BMSM who never injected. Among BMSM who injected drugs, current PrEP was not associated with HIV status. Abstract: Objective: Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (BMSM) are at elevated risk for HIV infection in the United States. BMSM who inject drugs may be face even higher HIV risk. Methods: Random time-location sampling was used to survey BMSM attending Black Pride events in 6 U.S. cities about HIV risk and protective behaviors, including injection drug use, prior HIV testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). 3429 individuals who reported a HIV negative/unknown serostatus at enrollment were included in the analysis. HIV status was determined by in-field rapid HIV testing. Results: 3.6% of BMSM had injected drugs in their lifetime and 58.5% of BMSM who had injected drugs reported sharing syringes in the past six months. BMSM who had injected drugs more commonly reported current PrEP use than BMSM who had never injected (32.5% vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001). BMSM who had injected drugs were 3.6-fold (95% CI: 2.4, 5.4) more likely to report currently using PrEP than BMSM who had never injected after adjustment for sociodemographic, substance use, and sexual risk characteristics. Among BMSM who reported ever injecting drugs ( n = 123), 31.7% tested HIV positive. HIV prevalence did not differ by self-reported PrEP use among BMSM who had injected drugs ( p = 0.59). Conclusions: BMSM who inject drugs who reported currently using PrEP were no less likely to test positive for HIV than those who did not use PrEP. Wrap-around services to support consistent PrEP use and long-acting PrEP formulations may improve the effectiveness of PrEP among BMSM who inject drugs.