Wiggins, H;
Ogaz, D;
Mebrahtu, H;
Sullivan, A;
Bowden-Jones, O;
Field, N;
Hughes, G;
(2018)
Demand for and availability of specialist chemsex services in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of sexual health clinics.
International Journal of Drug Policy
, 55
pp. 155-158.
10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016.
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Abstract
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.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Demand for and availability of specialist chemsex services in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of sexual health clinics. |
| Location: | Netherlands |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Chemsex, Sexual health, Sexualised drug use |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute for Global Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute for Global Health > Infection and Population Health |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10045593 |
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