Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This study aimed to analyze the associations between SDU frequency and a broad set of substances, motives, consequences, and self-perceptions. Sampling was conducted through an online survey. A questionnaire was administered through which sociodemographic variables, substances, reasons, consequences, and self-perceptions of SDU practice were analyzed.
In addition, habitual SDU was associated with motivations to achieve pleasurable emotions and sensations and manage negative feelings. Health implications, such as blackout moments, were also significantly related to frequent SDUs.
Finally, those who practiced frequent SDU perceived it as a severe problem and wanted to control it. These data indicate the importance of raising awareness of chemsex as a public health problem among GBMSM. Specific identification, education, and prevention programs need to be strengthened to reduce the incidence of the most undesirable implications of SDU among GBMSM.
Keywords: sexualized drug use, chemsex, men who have sex with men, sexual minorities, motives, public health. Today, intentional drug use for sex, a phenomenon known as sexualized drug use SDU , has become a public health priority because of its significant implications for the health of those who engage in it [ 1 ].
However, not all male sexualized drug users report problematic use [ 5 ]. The type of substance, route of administration, and frequency of use could be behind the more adverse outcomes of sexual experience—enhancing drug use [ 6 ]. The use of other, more traditional substances that may be implicated in SDU has also been described, including cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDMA , alkyl and butyl nitrites poppers , ketamine, drugs for improving erection e.
