Table 2

Univariate and multivariable analyses for factors associated with engaging in chemsex in the past 12 months compared with other sexualised drug use

UnivariateAdjusted model
MSM engaged in other sexualised drug use (n=570)MSM engaged in chemsex (n=99)Odds Ratio (95% CI)adjusted Odds Ratio (95% CI)
n or mean % or SD n or mean % or SD Row %
Sexuality
Homosexual49787%9091%15Ref
Bisexual407%44%90.55 (0.19 to 1.58)
Queer234%33%120.72 (0.21 to 2.45)
Age group
18–2415427%2020%11Ref
25–3419835%4242%181.63 (0.92 to 2.90)
35–4915227%3434%181.72 (0.95 to 3.13)
≥506511%33%40.36 (0.10 to 1.24)
Ethnicity
White54896%8990%14Ref
Person of colour224%1010%312.80 (1.28 to 6.11)*
Country of birth
UK49787%8081%14RefRef
Not UK5710%1919%252.07 (1.17 to 3.66)*2.02 (1.05 to 3.86)*
Education
University or higher33759%6465%16Ref
Qualifications at 1815427%2222%130.75 (0.45 to 1.27)
Qualifications at 16 or lower6311%1211%161.00 (0.51 to 1.97)
Work status
Full time35662%7071%16Ref
Part-time387%66%140.80 (0.33 to 1.97)
Student7313%66%80.42 (0.18 to 1.00)
Unemployed204%44%171.02 (0.34 to 3.07)
Other (sick leave, retired, carer)7814%1313%140.85 (0.45 to 1.61)
Relationship status
Living with partner20235%3131%13Ref
Relationship not living with partner10518%1515%130.93 (0.48 to 1.80)
Relationship with multiple142%44%221.85 (0.57 to 6.00)
Single25044%4949%161.27 (0.78 to 2.07)
Population density per hectare
<512622%1010%7RefRef
5–2012021%77%60.74 (0.27 to 1.99)0.59 (0.21 to 1.69)
20–4113924%2727%162.45 (1.14 to 5.26)*1.86 (0.82 to 4.21)
>4118132%5556%233.83 (1.88 to 7.80)***2.69 (1.26 to 5.74)*
Internalised homophobia
Low37365%7172%16Ref
High18933%2424%110.67 (0.41 to 1.09)
Discrimination sexuality
None29452%4646%14Ref
Any setting24844%4949%161.26 (0.82 to 1.95)
Perceived health
Fair/good/very good49988%8182%14Ref
Very poor/poor7213%1818%201.54 (0.87 to 2.72)
Psychological distress
Normal13023%2323%15Ref
Moderate13123%2323%150.99 (0.53 to 1.86)
High13323%1919%130.81 (0.42 to 1.55)
Very high17230%3131%151.02 (0.57 to 1.83)
Diagnosed STI
None44879%6364%12Ref
STI diagnosis9917%3636%272.59 (1.63 to 4.12)***
Not stated244%00%0
Attended genitourinary medicine
No18633%1313%7Ref
Yes37465%8384%183.18 (1.72 to 5.85)***
Not sure71%22%224.09 (0.77 to 21.70)
Number of men anal intercourse in the past 12 months
0–117531%77%4Ref
2–517130%1919%102.78 (1.14 to 6.78)
6–1010518%2121%175.00 (2.06 to 12.16)***
>1011921%5253%3010.92 (4.80 to 24.87)
Number of men without condom anal intercourse in the past 12 months
0–133859%2323%6RefRef
2–514325%2727%162.78 (1.54 to 5.00)**2.15 (0.85 to 5.41)
6–10499%1414%224.20 (2.03 to 8.70)***4.02 (1.60 to 10.12)**
>10397%3535%4713.19 (7.08 to 24.56)***7.86 (3.38 to 18.30)***
Sexual contact without consent in the past 12 months
No51290%8384%14Ref
Yes346%77%171.27 (0.55 to 2.96)
Unsure153%99%383.70 (1.57 to 8.73)**
HIV status
Negative44378%5354%11Ref
Negative, on PrEP509%2121%303.51 (1.96 to 6.29)***
Positive356%2020%364.78 (2.57 to 8.87)***
Don’t know438%55%100.97 (0.37 to 2.56)
Sexual self-efficacy
High53894%7778%13RefRef
Low254%1919%435.31 (2.79 to 10.10)***4.52 (2.18 to 9.40)***
Taken image or performance-enhancing drugs in the past 12 months?
No53894%9192%14Ref
Yes305%66%171.18 (0.48 to 2.92)
Body satisfaction 41.0 12.6 42.9 13.1 1.01 (1.00 to 1.03)
Loneliness score 5.5 1.8 5.5 1.7 1.00 (0.89 to 1.13)
Satisfaction with life 19.7 7.7 19 7.1 0.99 (0.96 to 1.02)
Sexual satisfaction 42.3 8.9 43.6 7.5 1.02 (0.99 to 1.04)
  • *P<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001.

  • MSM, men who have sex with men; PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis; Ref, reference.