Chemsex Among Men Who Have Sex With Men : Perceived Risks and Coping Strategies, a Qualitative Study.

The research hypothesis is that access to prevention and harm and risk reduction associated with the use of psychoactive substances in a sexual context is insufficient for MSM practicing chemsex. This would lead to a lack of awareness of the risks taken and insufficient or inadequate strategies to protect themselves.

This qualitative study has a comprehensive objective. The aim is to identify the risks perceived by MSM practicing Chemsex and their coping strategies. The study is based on individual semi-directed interviews and focus group. The criteria for inclusion are: an age greater than or equal to 18 years, being a man having sex with men and having used psychoactive substances in a sexual context at least once in the past 12 months. Participants were recruited through a gay geo-social networking app on mobile phones on a voluntary basis. At the same tim+e, flyers presenting the study are also distributed to the "chemsex" consultations at the Montpellier University Hospital in France as well as to an association fighting against AIDS in Montpellier.

Data are subjected to an inductive method analysis, bringing out by constant comparison conceptualizing categories illustrating the experience and making it possible to identify and understand the risks felt and the coping strategies.