Harm Reduction Practices and Needs in a Belgian Chemsex Context: Findings from a Qualitative Study

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2020 Dec 9

PMID 33291855

Citations 14

Authors

Corinne Herrijgers

Karolien Poels

Heidi Vandebosch

Tom Platteau

Jacques van Lankveld

Eric Florence

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chemsex is a growing public health concern, with little evidence-based care and support available. The aim of this study is to understand current risk reduction practices, and the information and care needs of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who engage in chemsex. Between January and March 2020, semi structured in-depth interviews with drug-using GBMSM ( = 20) were conducted. Data were analyzed thematically. The reported preparatory measures were: deliberately scheduling chemsex sessions, and discussing preferences regarding setting and attendees. During the event, a logbook is kept to monitor drugs taken by each participant. People try to take care of each other, but this is often counteracted. Respondents highlighted needs: reliable and easily-accessible information, anonymous medical and psychological healthcare, chemsex-specific care, and a value-neutral safe space to talk about chemsex experiences. Results imply two types of users: planned and impulsive users. Adherence to intended harm reduction practices are complicated by drug effects, peer pressure, and feelings of distrust among users.

Citing Articles

The complex social, cultural and psychological drivers of the 'chemsex' experiences of men who have sex with men: a systematic review and conceptual thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

Mundy E, Carter A, Nadarzynski T, Whiteley C, de Visser R, Llewellyn C Front Public Health. 2025; 13:1422775.

PMID: 40027505 PMC: 11869904. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1422775.

"Navigating Risk and Responsibility?": A Mixed-Methods Study Addressing Stigma and Well-Being Among Men Who Have 'Sex on Chems' with Other Men in the English Midlands.

Wilson A, Williamson I Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(23).

PMID: 39685101 PMC: 11640860. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12232479.

Assessing the Effectiveness of an mHealth Intervention to Support Men Who Have Sex With Men Engaging in Chemsex (Budd): Single-Case and Pre-Post Experimental Design Study.

Herrijgers C, Verboon P, Florence E, Vandebosch H, Poels K, Platteau T JMIR Form Res. 2024; 8:e56606.

PMID: 39365642 PMC: 11489797. DOI: 10.2196/56606.

Exploration of Mental Health Elements in Chemsex Behavior: Interventions, Influencing Factors, and Attitudes towards Risk and Harm Reduction in Spain.

Pozo-Herce P, Tovar-Reinoso A, Martinez-Sabater A, Chover-Sierra E, Sufrate-Sorzano T, Saus-Ortega C Nurs Rep. 2024; 14(3):2313-2326.

PMID: 39311180 PMC: 11417939. DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14030172.

Getting Inside the Mind of Gay and Bisexual Men Who Have Sex with Men with Sexualized Drug Use - A Systematic Review.

Marques Oliveira P, Sousa Reis C, Vieira-Coelho M Int J Sex Health. 2024; 35(4):573-595.

PMID: 38601804 PMC: 10903597. DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2260372.

References

Kohli M, Hickson F, Free C, Reid D, Weatherburn P . Cross-sectional analysis of chemsex drug use and gonorrhoea diagnosis among men who have sex with men in the UK. Sex Health. 2019; 16(5):464-472. DOI: 10.1071/SH18159. View

Evers Y, van Liere G, Hoebe C, Dukers-Muijrers N . Chemsex among men who have sex with men living outside major cities and associations with sexually transmitted infections: A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands. PLoS One. 2019; 14(5):e0216732. PMC: 6516639. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216732. View

Maxwell S, Shahmanesh M, Gafos M . Chemsex behaviours among men who have sex with men: A systematic review of the literature. Int J Drug Policy. 2018; 63:74-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.11.014. View

Evans E, Grella C, Washington D, Upchurch D . Gender and race/ethnic differences in the persistence of alcohol, drug, and poly-substance use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017; 174:128-136. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.01.021. View

Schecke H, Lea T, Bohn A, Kohler T, Sander D, Scherbaum N . Crystal Methamphetamine Use in Sexual Settings Among German Men Who Have Sex With Men. Front Psychiatry. 2019; 10:886. PMC: 6910085. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00886. View

Stuart D . A chemsex crucible: the context and the controversy. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2017; 42(4):295-296. DOI: 10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101603. View

Wiggins H, Ogaz D, Mebrahtu H, Sullivan A, Bowden-Jones O, Field N . Demand for and availability of specialist chemsex services in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of sexual health clinics. Int J Drug Policy. 2018; 55:155-158. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016. View

Prestage G, Hammoud M, Jin F, Degenhardt L, Bourne A, Maher L . Mental health, drug use and sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual men. Int J Drug Policy. 2018; 55:169-179. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.01.020. View

Kenyon C, Wouters K, Platteau T, Buyze J, Florence E . Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium. AIDS Res Ther. 2018; 15(1):14. PMC: 6195714. DOI: 10.1186/s12981-018-0201-3. View

10.

Melendez-Torres G, Bourne A . Illicit drug use and its association with sexual risk behaviour among MSM: more questions than answers?. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2015; 29(1):58-63. DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000234. View

11.

Graf N, Dichtl A, Deimel D, Sander D, Stover H . Chemsex among men who have sex with men in Germany: motives, consequences and the response of the support system. Sex Health. 2018; 15(2):151-156. DOI: 10.1071/SH17142. View

12.

Tan R, Wong C, Chen M, Chan Y, Ibrahim M, Lim O . Chemsex among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Singapore and the challenges ahead: A qualitative study. Int J Drug Policy. 2018; 61:31-37. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.10.002. View

13.

Evers Y, Hoebe C, Dukers-Muijrers N, Kampman C, Kuizenga-Wessel S, Shilue D . Sexual, addiction and mental health care needs among men who have sex with men practicing chemsex - a cross-sectional study in the Netherlands. Prev Med Rep. 2020; 18:101074. PMC: 7093829. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101074. View

14.

Glynn R, Byrne N, ODea S, Shanley A, Codd M, Keenan E . Chemsex, risk behaviours and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Dublin, Ireland. Int J Drug Policy. 2017; 52:9-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.10.008. View

15.

Tomkins A, Vivancos R, Ward C, Kliner M . How can those engaging in chemsex best be supported? An online survey to gain intelligence in Greater Manchester. Int J STD AIDS. 2017; 29(2):128-134. DOI: 10.1177/0956462417719643. View

16.

Nutt D, King L, Saulsbury W, Blakemore C . Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse. Lancet. 2007; 369(9566):1047-53. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60464-4. View

17.

Pufall E, Kall M, Shahmanesh M, Nardone A, Gilson R, Delpech V . Sexualized drug use ('chemsex') and high-risk sexual behaviours in HIV-positive men who have sex with men. HIV Med. 2018; 19(4):261-270. PMC: 5900961. DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12574. View

18.

Sewell J, Cambiano V, Miltz A, Speakman A, Lampe F, Phillips A . Changes in recreational drug use, drug use associated with chemsex, and HIV-related behaviours, among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in London and Brighton, 2013-2016. Sex Transm Infect. 2018; 94(7):494-501. PMC: 6227813. DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053439. View

19.

Tomkins A, George R, Kliner M . Sexualised drug taking among men who have sex with men: a systematic review. Perspect Public Health. 2018; 139(1):23-33. DOI: 10.1177/1757913918778872. View

20.

Schmidt A, Bourne A, Weatherburn P, Reid D, Marcus U, Hickson F . Illicit drug use among gay and bisexual men in 44 cities: Findings from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS). Int J Drug Policy. 2016; 38:4-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.09.007. View