“Chemsex” in French men having sex with men
“Chemsex” is a preoccupying phenomenon regarding men who have sex with men’s (MSM) sexual health. This article’s purpose is to present variables associated with the consumption of a category of substances often associated with “chemsex” among these men. The sample consists of 11 841 respondents of the 4th edition of the French Net Gay Baromètre (2013) who used at least one substance in the past 12 months. Three groups of respondents were formed: group 1 is constituted of respondents who used of at least one substance in the past 12 months, excluding category C substances (81,3%); group 2 is constituted of occasional (1-9 times) consumers of category C substances (14.2%); group 3 is constituted of regular consumers (10 + times) of category C substances associated (4.5%). Groups 2 and 3 were contrasted to group 1 with a polynomial logistic regression. Respondents of groups 2 and 3 differ from respondents of group 1 by a greater risk taking with occasional partners as well as problematic health indices. Group 3 reveals a more vulnerable profile regarding all these characteristics. Results indicate the heterogeneity of consumption patterns and of health-related risk taking among “chemsex” associated substances consumers, and the importance of providing interventions that take these distinct needs and vulnerabilities into account.