Suffered violence, drug consumption and risk behaviors in homosexual and bisexual individuals

Abstract

Background: This study examined the prevalence of violence suffered, drug use and risk behaviors in homosexual and bisexual individuals. Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative study involving 296 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual individuals in the municipalities of Crato and Juazeiro do Norte, South of Ceará state, Brazil. Findings: Psychological/verbal abuse is the most prevalent and depressants of the central nervous system are chosen for consumption after victimization. Depressant and stimulant drugs were associated to dependence and risk behaviors in sexual minorities. Conclusion: Gay and bisexual people use drugs after suffering violence, with an association between drug use and developing risk behaviors. Further investigations inherent in these associations are necessary, since other factors may interact to violence, drug use and risk behaviors in sexual minorities.