Chemical Sex (chemsex) in a Population of French University Students

Overview

Journal Dialogues Clin Neurosci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2022 Jul 21

PMID 35860173

Authors

L Malandain

S Mosser

S Mouchabac

J-V Blanc

C Alexandre

F Thibaut

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Chemsex is defined by the use of psychoactive substances to facilitate or improve sexual relations. Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of the practice of 'chemsex' in a population of French university students and to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with this practice.

Material And Methods: We have used an anonymous online questionnaire comprising 15 questions on socio-demographic characteristics, chemsex use, sexual satisfaction, the type of substances used in this sexual context and their route of administration.

Results: A total of 680 people were included in our study. Among them, 22.5% reported chemsex behaviour in the past year. Using a multivariate analysis, factors associated with chemsex were dating application use ( = 0.049) and pornography use [viewing more than once per month ( = 0.002)]. Having a sexual partner involved in chemsex ( < 0.0001), celibacy ( = 0.007), sexual orientations other than heterosexual ( = 0.0013) and especially bisexuality ( = 0.0002) were also significantly associated with chemsex.

Conclusion: This is the first study reporting a high prevalence of chemsex in a university student population. Further larger studies should be conducted to confirm these results showing a high prevalence of this at-risk behaviour.

Citing Articles

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Rosas Cancio-Suarez M, Ron R, Diaz-Alvarez J, Martinez-Sanz J, Serrano-Villar S, Moreno S Front Public Health. 2023; 11:1285057.

PMID: 38026436 PMC: 10644726. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1285057.

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