Practice of "Chemical Sex" by HIV Patients in Reunion Island (CHEMSEX)

Pilot Study on Practice of "Chemical Sex" by Men Having Sex With Men Living With HIV Followed at Reunion Island University Hospital Center

The term "CHEMSEX", short for "chemicals" and "sex", is used to define the consumption, regardless of the route of administration, of drugs or substances for recreational use, in a sexual context.

No published data is currently available concerning this practice in Reunion Island. However, an upsurge in cases of acute hepatitis C was observed at the end of 2016 (4 in 6 months) of which 3 were related to the practice of chemsex (data CeGGID Réunion) and the recent years have been marked by many cases related to drug trafficking and the arrival of substances still unknown on the island.

Given the rapid emergence of the phenomenon in metropolitan France and in the rest of the world, serious consequences that are both psychological, addictological and infectious, to take stock of this practice among MSM patients followed in Reunion Island seems essential. to establish a rapid, adequate and effective prevention and action plan.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: HIV
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Survey

Detailed Description

The term "CHEMSEX", short for "chemicals" and "sex", is used to define the consumption, regardless of the route of administration, of drugs or substances for recreational use, in a sexual context.

Although the use of drugs and narcotics is not a novelty in sexual practice, however, there is a change in behavior. Indeed, the advent of synthetic products such as cathinones, easily obtained via the internet and at affordable prices has attracted a wider audience and has allowed in less than ten years, the amplification of this worrying phenomenon.

The described effects of cathinones are just as powerful as the classic drugs that were quickly supplanted: intellectual stimulation, exacerbation of the senses, euphoria, disinhibition, sexual arousal, relaxation.

These initially ingested or inhaled products are quickly injected for a greater rapidity of their hallucinogenic and psychostimulant effects. SLAM ("slap"), is the Anglo-Saxon term commonly used to describe the intravenous use of drugs in the context of sexual practices. The subjects are gradually led to modify and increase their consumption, for ever more effect.

The consequences of this practice are multiple and serious: addiction with all the risks incurred, psychiatric and infectious complications related to the sharing of contaminated material (endocarditis, hepatitis ...) and unprotected sex ratios favoring the transmission of STIs.

In the literature, all the studies on the subject concern men having sex with men, and more particularly patients living with HIV. Indeed, the prevalence of HIV is 70 to 82% among these practitioners.

European studies, particularly in London gay festive environnement, show the increasing use of these substances resulting in risky behavior. In recent years, STIs have been increasing and more particularly in the men having sex with men population.

No published data is currently available concerning this practice in Reunion Island. However, an upsurge in cases of acute hepatitis C was observed at the end of 2016 (4 in 6 months) of which 3 were related to the practice of chemsex (data CeGGID Réunion) and the recent years have been marked by many cases related to drug trafficking and the arrival of substances still unknown on the island.

Given the rapid emergence of the phenomenon in metropolitan France and in the rest of the world, serious consequences that are both psychological, addictological and infectious, to take stock of this practice among MSM patients followed in Reunion Island seems essential. to establish a rapid, adequate and effective prevention and action plan.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 245

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Réunion
  • Saint-Denis, Réunion, 97400
    • CHU de la Réunion

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients living with HIV followed in Clinical Immunology service of Universitary Hospital Centre in Reunion Island

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age greater than or equal to 18 years;
• Man having sex with men;
• Patients living with HIV;
• Followed at Universitary Hospital Center of Reunion Island;
• Able to answer a self-questionnaire in French;
• Having agreed to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject under legal protection;

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Male patients living with HIV and having sex with men; Male patients living with HIV and having sex with men followed at Universitary Hospital Center of Reunion Island	Other: Survey; The questionnaire consists of three parts: knowledge assessment;; socio-demographic, medical and lifestyle data;; use of "Chemsex".; Other Names: CHEMSEX questionnaire

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prevalence of recent chemsex practice	Proportion of subjects practicing chemsex on and off department (practice over the last 12 months)	Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Réunion

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 26, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 26, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): September 27, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 28, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 27, 2018
• Last Verified: September 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2017/CHU/03

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No