Methamphetamine and Sildenafil

Methamphetamine and Sildenafil

Methamphetamine and Sildenafil (Viagra) Use Are Linked to Unprotected Receptive and Insertive Anal Sex, Respectively, in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men

In the current study, researchers investigated the association of methamphetamine, sildenafil, and other substance use with unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) through an encounter-specific analysis. With data from a cross-sectional, community-based survey of MSM in San Francisco regarding behavior during their most recent anal sex encounter, researchers used multivariate regression to analyze independent associations of specific substance use and demographic variables with unprotected anal sex behaviors.

The sample (n=388) was diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, age, income, education, HIV status, and homosexual/bisexual identification. Of the sample, 53 percent reported unprotected anal sex, including insertive (29 percent) and receptive (37 percent) during their most recent anal sex encounter. Twelve percent reported unprotected insertive anal sex with an HIV discordant partner or partner of unknown serostatus; 17 percent reported unprotected receptive anal sex with an HIV discordant partner or partner of unknown serostatus. Fifteen percent of the sample used methamphetamine before or during the encounter; 6 percent used sildenafil; and 2 percent used both drugs.

In multivariate analysis controlling for demographic factors and other substance use, the investigators found methamphetamine use was associated with unprotected receptive (odds ratio (OR), 2.03; 95 percent confidence interval (CI), 1.09 to 3.76) and sildenafil use was associated with unprotected insertive (OR, 6.51; CI, 2.46 to 17.24) anal sex. Effects were stronger with HIV discordant or unknown sex partners specifically.

"Encounter-specific associations of methamphetamine and sildenafil use with unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex, respectively, indicate the importance of assessment specificity and tailoring risk reduction efforts to address certain drugs and sexual behavioral roles among MSM," the authors concluded.

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Vol. 82; No. 2: P. 131-134 (04..06):: G. Mansergh; R.L. Shouse; G. Marks; R. Guzman; M. Rader; S. Buchbinder; G.N. Colfax

We are providing the above information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases does not constitute endorsement. The above summaries were prepared without conducting any additional research or investigation into the facts and statements made in the articles being summarized, and therefore readers are expressly cautioned against relying on the validity or invalidity of any statements made in these summaries. This CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on MMWR articles, fact sheets and announcements

Most people infected with HIV carry the virus for years before manifesting AIDS. During that period, infected people will have few, if any, symptoms yet they can transmit the virus.
The percentage of women with AIDS has increased steadily, and the percentage of people infected heterosexually has also increased, surpassing the percentage infected through injecting drug use.
During 2001, there were 35575 newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates now that 40,000 new cases of HIV transmission occur every year.
Of the people infected with the virus of AIDS in the USA in the year 2001, 42% were whites, 37% blacks, 20% Hispanics and <1% Asians and Pacific Islanders and <1% American Indians and Alaska Natives.
During the 1990s, the HIV epidemic shifted steadily toward a growing proportion of AIDS cases in blacks and Hispanics and in women.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the cause of AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). The presence of HIV in the body can be detected in several ways. The most common is the HIV-ELISA Antibodies test.

The HIV-ELISA looks for the body response to the virus manifested by the presence in your blood of Antibodies to HIV proteins. Antibodies are special proteins that our Immune System produce in response to the presence of HIV.

The test performed on your sample actually consists of two tests: a Screening test and a Confirmatory test. The screening test procedure is called an ELISA—Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay or an EIA (Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay). The confirmatory test is used in the event your HIV-ELISA is positive and/or equivocal and is the procedure used is the Western Blot Assay (WB)

The screening and confirmatory tests are usually done using small samples of blood. If a sample of blood tests positive repeatedly in the screening test, it will be confirmed through the Western Blot test. People will be informed that they are infected with HIV only after both the screening and confirmatory tests have shown a positive (reactive) result.

Positive HIV antibody tests results are over 99% accurate when confirmed. Negative HIV antibody tests are over 99% accurate if it has been at least six months after a contact with a potentially HIV-infected partner. False negatives or false positives occur rarely.

Antibodies to HIV can be detected in the blood, in the urine or in the saliva. People produce antibodies with different speeds and therefore the time interval between infection and the development of antibodies to HIV can go from four weeks to six months from the exposure date or SDC ( Suspected Date of Contact). The appearance of antibodies in a blood or urine sample of a person which was known to be negative to HIV is called Seroconversion.

The HIV Elisa results are usually available in one or two business days.

STDWeB provides only health screening services. Tests are provided only for personal information and/or risk identification purposes. STDWeB does not diagnose or treat medical conditions. STDWeB screenings do not take the place of a physician care. Transactions with STDWeB are confidential and will not be shared with third parties. Tests with "positive" or "indeterminate" result may require confirmatory testing and may involve additional charges.