Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
Humanized NOG Mice for Intravaginal HIV Exposure and Treatment of HIV Infection
Published on: January 31, 2020
HIV infection among MSM who inject methamphetamine in 8 US cities
Lina M C Nerlander1, Brooke E Hoots2, Heather Bradley2
1Behavioral and Clinical Surveillance Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS E-46, 1600 Clifton Road, 30329, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
Background And Aims:
Men who have sex with men (MSM) and inject drugs are at risk for HIV infection. Although research exists on non-injection methamphetamine (meth) use and sexual risk among MSM, less is known about meth injection and its association with HIV infection among MSM who inject drugs.
Methods:
We analyzed data from men aged ≥18 years who reported injecting drugs and male-to-male sexual contact. Men were recruited using respondent-driven sampling, interviewed, and tested for HIV during the 2012 and 2015 cycles of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance among persons who inject drugs. We included data from 8 cities where ≥10 MSM reported meth as the primary drug injected. We assessed differences in demographic characteristics, past 12 months risk behaviors, and HIV infection between MSM who primarily injected meth and those who primarily injected another drug.
Results:
Among 961 MSM, 33.7% reported meth as the drug they injected most often. Compared to MSM who primarily injected other drugs, MSM who primarily injected meth were more likely to have had ≥5 condomless anal sex partners, have been diagnosed with syphilis, and were less likely to report sharing syringes. In multivariable analysis, injecting meth was associated with being HIV-positive (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.48; 95% confidence interval 1.08-2.03). Including number of condomless anal sex partners in mediation analysis rendered this association no longer significant.
Conclusions:
HIV prevalence among MSM who primarily injected meth was almost 50% higher than among MSM who primarily injected other drugs, and this association was mediated by sexual risk.
Insights
Methamphetamine injection is linked to higher HIV risk in men who have sex with men (MSM) who inject drugs. This increased risk is primarily driven by sexual behaviors, not needle sharing.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) who inject drugs are a key population at risk for HIV infection.
- While non-injection methamphetamine use and sexual risk among MSM are studied, the specific risks of methamphetamine injection within this group remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between primary methamphetamine injection and HIV infection among MSM who inject drugs.
- To compare demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and HIV status between MSM who primarily inject methamphetamine and those who primarily inject other drugs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance among persons who inject drugs (2012 and 2015) in 8 US cities.
- Inclusion of 961 men who have sex with men (MSM) who reported injecting drugs, with a focus on those reporting methamphetamine as their primary injected drug.
- Assessment of demographic factors, sexual risk behaviors (e.g., condomless anal sex partners), syphilis diagnosis, syringe sharing practices, and HIV infection status.
Main Results:
- 33.7% of MSM in the study primarily injected methamphetamine.
- MSM who primarily injected methamphetamine reported more condomless anal sex partners and higher rates of syphilis diagnosis compared to those injecting other drugs.
- Methamphetamine injection was significantly associated with HIV-positive status (aPR 1.48; 95% CI 1.08-2.03).
Conclusions:
- HIV prevalence is nearly 50% higher among MSM who primarily inject methamphetamine compared to those injecting other drugs.
- The association between methamphetamine injection and HIV infection in this population is mediated by sexual risk behaviors, particularly the number of condomless anal sex partners.
More Related Videos
09:54Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
Published on: December 3, 2019
13:58Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
Published on: September 26, 2011
Related Concept Videos
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:26Stages of Infection
01:26Defense Mechanism Against Infection
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...