HIV, HCV, and drug use in men who have sex with men

The report by Tony Kirby and Michelle Thornber-Dunwell (July 27, p 295)uncovers an emerging and troubling public health and community issue. The intersection of unprotected sex and use of street and party drugs is likely to amplify the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in men who have sex with men (MSM).

Early diagnosis and treatment is increasingly becoming, or will likely become, the dominant approach to control STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis. With use of a similar approach for these related infections, it might become more feasible to implement coordinated control strategies that are effective. However, one of the large dangers for which we provide warning is risk disinhibition and primary prevention fatigue, which we are seeing as starting to counteract the benefits of improved access to diagnostic testing and effective treatment. In the longer term, research with vulnerable MSM is needed to better understand the range of relevant factors including how these men perceive risk and balance that against pleasure and the causes of the increased incidence of unprotected sex and substance use. The results of such research can be used to strengthen the health and wellbeing of communities of MSM around the world.

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