MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Abuse and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among 169 Gay and Bisexual Men
Robert Klitzman, Harrison G. Pope, James I. Hudson
American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 2000 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.157.7.1162 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 169 |
| Population | Gay and bisexual men at New York City dance clubs |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Ethnic group Association psychology Substance abuse Clinical psychology Sexual abuse Poison control Suicide prevention Medical emergency Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 132 |
| Key findings | MDMA use was strongly and significantly associated with recent unprotected anal intercourse among gay and bisexual men, independent of other drug use. |
Abstract
Objective: The authors explored the association between abuse of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or “Ecstasy”) and high-risk sexual behaviors among gay and bisexual men.
Method: An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 169 gay and bisexual men at three New York City dance clubs. The questionnaire covered demographic indices, use of MDMA and other drugs, and history of high-risk sexual behaviors.
Results: About one-third of the respondents reported MDMA use at least monthly. MDMA use was strongly and significantly associated with a history of recent unprotected anal intercourse. This association remained equally strong even after controlling for age, ethnicity, and all other forms of drug use, including alcohol.
Conclusions: MDMA abuse, and its strong association with high-risk sexual behaviors, appears to represent important unexplored public health problems among some gay or bisexual men.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug Recreational Ecstasy users recruited via snowball peer network | 1992 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 100 |
| Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users Male regular ecstasy users and well-matched controls | 1999 | Cross-sectional association study | n = 20 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and... | 2001 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 122 |
| Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Regular MDMA users | 2003 | Cross-sectional study | n = 466 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- MDMA and Sexual Behavior: Ecstasy Users' Perceptions About Sexuality and Sexual Risk Substance Use & Misuse 2005
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’): a stressor on the immune system Immunology March 30, 2004
- Cell‐Mediated Immune Response in MDMA Users After Repeated Dose Administration Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2002
- Neuropsychological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in recreational users. The Clinical neuropsychologist November 1, 2003
- Deaths related to MDMA (ecstasy/molly): Prevalence, root causes, and harm reduction interventions Journal of Substance Use February 20, 2018
and 11 more in the library
Cites 4
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- Diversity of Psychopathology Associated with use of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) The British Journal of Psychiatry September 1, 1994
- MDMA and Human Sexual Function Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986