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The relationship between methamphetamine use and heterosexual behaviour: evidence from a prospective longitudinal study
Author(s) -
McKetin Rebecca,
Lubman Dan I.,
Baker Amanda,
Dawe Sharon,
Ross Joanne,
Mattick Richard P.,
Degenhardt Louisa
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.14181
Subject(s) - casual , methamphetamine , condom , demography , sex partners , odds , psychology , anal sex , medicine , longitudinal study , clinical psychology , psychiatry , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , logistic regression , family medicine , materials science , syphilis , pathology , sociology , composite material
Aims To estimate the extent to which specific sexual behaviours (being sexually active, having multiple sex partners, casual sex, condomless casual sex, anal sex and condomless anal sex) change during periods of methamphetamine use. Design Within‐person estimates for the relationship between methamphetamine use and sexual behaviour were derived from longitudinal panel data from the Methamphetamine Treatment Evaluation Study (MATES) cohort (2006–10). Setting Sydney and Brisbane, Australia. Participants Participants ( n = 319) were recruited through treatment and other health services, self‐identified as heterosexual, were aged 17–51 years, 74% were male and all were dependent on methamphetamine on study entry. Measurements Days of methamphetamine use in the past month and sexual behaviour in the past month were both assessed using the Opiate Treatment Index. Findings When using methamphetamine, participants had double the odds of being sexually active compared with when they were not using, after adjustment for demographics and other substance use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.9, P = 0.010]. When participants were sexually active, they were more likely to have multiple sex partners (aOR = 3.3, P = 0.001), casual sex partners (aOR = 3.9, P < 0.001) and condomless casual sex (aOR = 2.6, P = 0.012) when using methamphetamine than when they were not using. During months when participants had a casual sex partner, there was no significant reduction in their likelihood of condom use when they were using methamphetamine. There was no significant change in the likelihood of having anal sex or condomless anal sex during months of methamphetamine use. Conclusions Methamphetamine use is associated with an increase in being sexually active, having multiple sex partners and casual sex partners and having condomless sex with casual partners, but it is not associated with a change in condom use per se .