Prescription Drug Misuse and Sexual Risk Taking Among HIV-Negative MSM

Men who have sex with men (MSM) misuse prescription drugs at high rates. Little research has examined the connection between prescription drug misuse and HIV risk in this population. With a community sample of MSM, the authors assessed prescription drug misuse—not including erectile dysfunction medications—and sexual risk behaviors among HIV-negative MSM. The findings indicate that recent prescription drug misusers had higher odds of engaging in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI; OR = 1.63), specifically receptive UAI (OR = 1.58), and more likely to have UAI with a higher number of seroconcordant partners (b = 0.268). MSM who reported recently misusing prescription drugs during sexual encounters were more likely to engage in UAI (OR = 2.02), specifically insertive UAI (OR = 1.86). There was no association between prescription drug misuse and identification as a barebacker. This research indicates that prescription drug misusing MSM are a risk group who may benefit from HIV prevention and intervention efforts.