Lunchenkov Nikolay, Rinne-Wolf Susanna, Hughes Tom, Dwyer Barrie
TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich.
Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich.
J Sex Res. 2025 Mar-Apr;62(3):360-366. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2314690. Epub 2024 Feb 15.
The use of illicit drugs during sex (Chemsex) in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) has been a challenge for sexual health services globally. In Russia, HIV remains a significant public health concern and access to prevention and treatment services is limited. Little is known about the nature of Chemsex and the challenges GBMSM practicing Chemsex in Russia face when accessing medical care. This study explored GBMSM's experience with Chemsex and access to medical care. We conducted three focus groups with GBMSM ( = 19) based in Moscow and Yekaterinburg in December 2020. The focus groups explored their experience with Chemsex and accessing medical care. We used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyze the data. GBMSM engaged in Chemsex through social networks and cited pleasure as one of their main reasons for engaging. The men described their addiction and perceiving many dangers at Chemsex group sessions. They reported using several self-care mechanisms to recover after a group session. Many reported feeling stigmatization from other members of the GBMSM community. Perceived barriers to medical care included legal barriers and stigmatization from medical professionals. To better support GBMSM, they felt there was a need for better access to sexual health and HIV prevention services, and psychological support. Our study highlights the unmet need in services for GBMSM engaging in Chemsex in Russia. It highlights how societal perceptions of homosexuality and drug use act as barriers to effective interventions for both sexual health and drug use.
男同性恋者、双性恋者以及与男性发生性行为的男性（GBMSM）在性行为过程中使用非法药物（化学性行为），这已成为全球性健康服务面临的一项挑战。在俄罗斯，艾滋病毒仍然是一个重大的公共卫生问题，预防和治疗服务的可及性有限。对于化学性行为的本质以及在俄罗斯从事化学性行为的GBMSM在获得医疗护理时所面临的挑战，人们知之甚少。本研究探讨了GBMSM在化学性行为及获得医疗护理方面的经历。2020年12月，我们在莫斯科和叶卡捷琳堡对GBMSM（n = 19）进行了三个焦点小组访谈。这些焦点小组探讨了他们在化学性行为及获得医疗护理方面的经历。我们采用解释现象学分析方法来分析数据。GBMSM通过社交网络参与化学性行为，并将愉悦感作为他们参与的主要原因之一。这些男性描述了他们的成瘾情况以及在化学性行为群体活动中察觉到的诸多危险。他们报告说在群体活动后会采用几种自我护理机制来恢复。许多人表示感受到了GBMSM社区其他成员的污名化。感知到的医疗护理障碍包括法律障碍以及来自医疗专业人员的污名化。为了更好地支持GBMSM，他们认为需要更好地获得性健康和艾滋病毒预防服务以及心理支持。我们的研究凸显了俄罗斯为从事化学性行为的GBMSM提供服务方面未得到满足的需求。它凸显了社会对同性恋和吸毒的看法如何成为性健康和吸毒有效干预措施的障碍。
