TY - JOUR
T1 - Demand for and availability of specialist chemsex services in the UK
T2 - A cross-sectional survey of sexual health clinics
AU - Wiggins, H.
AU - Ogaz, D.
AU - Mebrahtu, H.
AU - Sullivan, A.
AU - Bowden-Jones, O.
AU - Field, N.
AU - Hughes, Gwenda
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier B.V.
Copyright:
Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/5
Y1 - 2018/5
N2 - Background/introduction: Chemsex amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) is well documented in major cities within the United Kingdom (UK), but few data from less urban areas exist. We undertook a survey of sexual health clinic (SHC) healthcare workers (HCWs) to explore demand for and availability of chemsex services to understand training needs and inform service planning. Methods: An online survey was distributed to HCWs in all SHCs across the UK. For English clinics, we explored associations between responses and geo-demographic region using national surveillance data and population statistics. Results: Responses were received from 56% (150/270) of SHC's in the UK (89% (133/150) from English clinics). 80% (103/129) of UK clinics reported chemsex consultations and in 50% (65/129) these occurred at least monthly, with no significant difference found when analysed by the geo-demographic characteristics of England (p=0.38). Respondents from most clinics (99% (117/118)) wanted chemsex training, 81 %(103/129) felt there was a local clinical need for a chemsex service and 33% (14/43) had chemsex care-pathways for referrals in place. Discussion/conclusion: Patients reporting chemsex regularly present to SHCs throughout the UK including rural areas. Given the potential negative health outcomes associated with chemsex, there is a need for local, high quality, appropriate services and training to minimise harm.
AB - Background/introduction: Chemsex amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) is well documented in major cities within the United Kingdom (UK), but few data from less urban areas exist. We undertook a survey of sexual health clinic (SHC) healthcare workers (HCWs) to explore demand for and availability of chemsex services to understand training needs and inform service planning. Methods: An online survey was distributed to HCWs in all SHCs across the UK. For English clinics, we explored associations between responses and geo-demographic region using national surveillance data and population statistics. Results: Responses were received from 56% (150/270) of SHC's in the UK (89% (133/150) from English clinics). 80% (103/129) of UK clinics reported chemsex consultations and in 50% (65/129) these occurred at least monthly, with no significant difference found when analysed by the geo-demographic characteristics of England (p=0.38). Respondents from most clinics (99% (117/118)) wanted chemsex training, 81 %(103/129) felt there was a local clinical need for a chemsex service and 33% (14/43) had chemsex care-pathways for referrals in place. Discussion/conclusion: Patients reporting chemsex regularly present to SHCs throughout the UK including rural areas. Given the potential negative health outcomes associated with chemsex, there is a need for local, high quality, appropriate services and training to minimise harm.
KW - Chemsex
KW - Sexual health
KW - Sexualised drug use
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042465811&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016
M3 - Article
C2 - 29496326
AN - SCOPUS:85042465811
VL - 55
SP - 155
EP - 158
JO - International Journal of Drug Policy
JF - International Journal of Drug Policy
SN - 0955-3959
ER -
