Characterizing Men Who Have Sex with Men and Use Injection Drugs in Vancouver, Canada

Abstract

We examined factors associated with reporting sex with men among men who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Data were drawn from three open prospective cohorts of people who use drugs between 2005 and 2014. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify factors associated with reporting non-transactional sex with men (MSM) in the previous 6 months. Of 1663 men who used injection drugs, 225 (13.5%) were MSM over the study period. Sex with men was independently associated with younger age [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.96], childhood sexual abuse (AOR = 2.65), sex work (AOR = 3.33), crystal methamphetamine use (AOR = 1.30), borrowing used syringes (AOR = 1.39), inconsistent condom use (AOR = 1.76), and HIV seropositivity (AOR = 3.82). MSM were less likely to be Hepatitis C-positive (AOR = 0.43) and to have accessed addiction treatment in the previous 6 months (AOR = 0.83) (all p < 0.05). Findings highlight vulnerabilities and resiliencies among MSM-PWID and indicate a need for trauma-informed and affirming harm reduction and substance use treatment services for MSM-PWID.