Cette enquête, auprès des personnes qui fréquentent le « Helpcenter » à Anvers, montre une augmentation des pratiques de sexe sans préservatif associée à la prise de plusieurs drogues, incluant ecstasy, amphétamines, GHB et cocaïne parmi les HSH (augmentation de 8 à 17% entre 2011 et 2017). Les résultats indiquent également une corrélation entre chemsex sans préservatif et infection au VIH. En conclusion, les auteurs recommandent de questionner les patients HSH sur leurs usages de drogues afin de proposer les interventions adéquates telles que le traitement pre-exposition, l’augmentation de la fréquence du dépistage et le soutien à la dépendance aux drogues.
Background : It has been speculated that the prevalence of chemsex is increasing in men who have sex with men and that this may be playing a role in the spread of HIV.
Methods : We assessed if the prevalence of reported chemsex was increasing and if chemsex was associated with HIV infection in clients attending the ‘Helpcenter’, Antwerp, between 2011 and 2017. This is a HIV/STI testing center that offers HIV/STI testing to HIV-uninfected individuals from key populations including MSM.
Results : We found an increase in the reporting of condomless sex associated with the use of a number of drugs, including ecstasy, amphetamines, GHB and cocaine in MSM (from 8 to 17%) but not in heterosexuals. Reporting con-domless chemsex was associated with HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio 5.7 [95% confidence interval 3.2–10.4]).
Conclusions : Our findings provide further evidence of the importance of asking MSM clients about the use of psychoactive substances during consultations and tailoring interventions such as pre exposure prophylaxis, more frequent STI screening and substance abuse counseling accordingly.
