Club drug use and associated high‐risk sexual behaviour in six provinces in C hina

Aim To investigate the characteristics of the different club drugs and associated high‐risk sexual behaviours in C hina. Design Multicentre cross‐sectional study. Setting D rug D etoxification and R ehabilitation C entres in six provinces, C hina. Participants A total of 1434 eligible club drug users were included. Measurements Participants were investigated by trained interviewers using a self‐designed structured questionnaire to collect information on club drug use and associated behaviours. Findings Methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug in participants (73.92%), who used it in their or their friends' homes by non‐injection for the purpose of feeling euphoria. Among participants with sexual behaviours after club drug use, 75.21% reported having engaged in sex with multiple partners after club drug use during the past year and 79.84% had unprotected sex after using club drug during the past year. A two‐level logistic model showed that male gender [adjusted odds ratio ( AOR ) = 7.14; 95% confidence interval ( CI ) = 4.17–12.5], unmarried ( AOR  = 1.71, 95% CI  = 1.04–2.79), long duration of club drug use during their life‐time ( AOR  = 1.76, 95% CI  = 1.28–2.42) and severe acute intoxication after using club drugs during the past year ( AOR  = 2.11, 95% CI  = 1.07–4.15) were independent risk factors of multiple sex partners during the past year. Another two‐level model showed that the club drug users who were female ( AOR  = 1.79, 95% CI  = 1.03–3.11) and had polydrug use during their lifetime ( AOR  = 1.55, 95% CI  = 1.01–2.34) had more risk for unprotected sex during the past year than without these characteristics. Conclusion High‐risk sexual behaviours are common among club drug users in C hina. The prevention and intervention of club drug use could decrease the risk of sexual behaviours which further prevent HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections in C hina.