Sexual Risk Behaviors among African Americans Who Use MDMA (Molly/Ecstasy): Implications for HIV Prevention.
Khary K. Rigg, Alexandra Mills
Social work in public health June 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2020.1781013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | African Americans who use MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | African americans Hiv Prevention Risk reduction |
| Key findings | Sexual risk behaviors—sex without a condom, "hooking up," sex on MDMA, and group sex—were prevalent among African American MDMA users surveyed, and the authors report that users' mind-set and the context in which MDMA was consumed are contributing factors. The authors argue the findings can inform social workers' HIV prevention efforts for this population. |
Abstract
Numerous studies have linked sexual risk taking to recreational use of MDMA. Questions remain, however, regarding the extent and type of sexual risk behaviors that occur among MDMA users, especially African Americans who use the drug. Because the MDMA literature has historically relied on samples with little minority representation, little is known about Black MDMA users and their sexual risk taking. The primary goal of this study, therefore, was to describe patterns of sexual risk behaviors among African Americans who use MDMA. This study used survey data to identify (a) which sexual risk behaviors occurred among Black MDMA users and (b) the prevalence of each behavior. Qualitative interview data are also presented to contextualize the role that MDMA and the club/nightlife environment might play in contributing to these behaviors. Results show that sexual risk taking (e.g., sex without a condom, "hooking up," sex on MDMA, and group sex) was prevalent and that the mind-set and context in which MDMA was consumed are contributing factors. The current study adds to the limited amount of data on African Americans who use MDMA and is a step toward better understanding the link between MDMA and sexual risk taking. These data can be used to inform social workers in their efforts to prevent HIV in this population.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use Psychiatrists who had taken MDMA | 1992 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| MDMA and Sexual Behavior: Ecstasy Users' Perceptions About Sexuality and Sexual Risk Current and former users of MDMA | 2005 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| Perceived Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy beyond Symptom Reduction: Qualitative Follow-Up Study of a Clinical Trial for Individuals with Treatment-Resistant PTSD Veterans, firefighters, and police officers with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD | 2019 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 19 |
| Negative Experiences on Ecstasy: The Role of Drug, Set, and Setting Current or former users of Ecstasy | 2002 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Ethical Challenges and Practices in Psychedelic Healing Practitioners who have administered MDMA and psilocybin to clients in underground... | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 23 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Women and MDMA: particularities of gender and sex. International Review of Psychiatry 2023
- Prevalence and Correlates of Lifetime Ecstasy/MDMA Use Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Adult Populations in the United States, 2015–2020 Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 3, 2025
- "Chemical Seduction": a narrative review of the complex impact of recreational drugs on sexual function. International journal of impotence research October 17, 2025
Cites 18
- Human Pharmacology of MDMA Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' JAMA March 27, 1987
- The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Addiction July 8, 2006
- MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Abuse and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among 169 Gay and Bisexual Men American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 2000
- MDMA and Human Sexual Function Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
and 13 more in the library