Chemsex, or the practice of sex while under the influence of a drug, would increase the risk of transmission of AIDS, according to the new report of the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, which recalls that taking psychoactive products is more frequent in men who have sex with men (MSM) and that it increases the probability of transmission of HIV or theHepatitis C, because four out of five users state that they abstain from prevention during their intercourse.
To assess this practice, a descriptive study was carried out with a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, systematically offered to each patient who came to consult in December 2015. The study took place in four places that volunteered to participate: a service of infectious diseases of a university hospital center (CHU), an anonymous and free screening center (CDAG) (which became CeGIDD as of January 2016), an association to help patients and the screening / treatment consultation of HIV from a hospital center (CH).
The responses of 306 participants revealed that 110 (36%) had consumed psychoactive products (PPA) in the last four weeks, including 50 (16.3%) regularly or occasionally during sexual intercourse.
A risky practice
Indeed, the report reveals that among the 50 users of ASF during sexual intercourse, 28 (56%) declared more than one sexual partner in the month and 25 (50%) revealed an unsystematic use of the drug. condom. Sexual practices were also at risk. Indeed, group sex concerned 14 (28%) people, the use of sextoys 4 (8%), including half of them, the practice of “fist-fucking” for 6%. “In addition, 8 (16%) of the respondents had already benefited from PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is a drug treatment intended to prevent an infection, in particular by the HIV virus). There was at least one risky sexual situation for 41 (82%) of the respondents, ”recalls the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin.
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