Sexual Behavior and Age Differences in Methamphetamine Dependent and Non-Dependent Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

Objective: Methamphetamine consumers use can have more efficient practices, be hyperactive,&nbsp;and take sexual risk-taking behaviors. These behaviors are particularly remarkable in&nbsp;homosexuals. Methods: The present study was conducted based on casual-comparative method in the field of&nbsp;descriptive studies. Since 1 March to 25 June 2015, a total of 62 MSM subjects were selected&nbsp;based on chain method and divided into two groups of methamphetamine dependent (n=30) and&nbsp;non-dependent ones (n=32). sexual behaviors were examined by sexual behavior questionnaire&nbsp;based on 3 dimensions of sexual thoughts, sexual pleasure, and sexual hyperactivity. High-risk sexual behavior were evaluated by sexual behavior questionnaire, their relation with participants&rsquo;&nbsp;educational status, occupation, age, income, and number of sexual partners in the last 3 months&nbsp;were analyzed using the parametric T-test. Results: Data analysis showed that methamphetamine dependent MSM were significantly&nbsp;higher (P<0.01) in all 3 components of sexual thoughts and pleasure, hyperactivity, and sexual&nbsp;behavior compared to non-dependent group. However, regarding age, there was no significant&nbsp;difference between age and sexual risk behavior (P=0.05). Conclusion: methamphetamine dependent MSM have a unique experience of thoughts,&nbsp;pleasure, and aspirations and have high tendency to high-risk sexual behavior. These findings are&nbsp;consistent with the previous research on the importance of stimulant consumption and specifically&nbsp;methamphetamine in creating high-risk sexual behavior. Controlling methamphetamine use plays an important role in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.