Cannabis and alcohol were the most common substances among young Black and Latinx sexual minority men
Among young Black and Latinx sexual minority men and transgender women, 76% reported cannabis use and polysubstance use was associated with higher odds of risky sexual behaviors linked to HIV.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis and alcohol were each used by 76% of participants. Nearly half (47%) used both alcohol and cannabis. Polysubstance use was associated with greater adjusted odds of pressure for condomless sex, having older partners, and inconsistent condom use.
Key Numbers
466 participants. Alcohol and cannabis: 76% each. 23% used other illicit drugs. 47% used both alcohol and cannabis. 20% used alcohol, cannabis, plus another drug.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of 466 young Black and Latinx sexual minority men and transgender women from four high HIV-burden US cities enrolled in the PUSH Study, a randomized control trial. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined polysubstance patterns and sexual partnership factors.
Why This Research Matters
Young Black and Latinx sexual minority men face disproportionate HIV burden, and understanding how polysubstance use including cannabis connects to HIV risk behaviors can inform combination prevention strategies.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis is often viewed as a lower-risk substance, but in the context of polysubstance use patterns, it is part of a broader risk landscape. The study highlights the need for integrated approaches that address substance use alongside HIV prevention.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Participants were from a clinical trial, potentially not representative. Self-reported substance use and sexual behaviors. Cannabis-specific effects cannot be isolated from polysubstance patterns.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis use independently contribute to sexual risk behaviors, or is it the combination with other substances that matters?
- ?Would substance use interventions reduce HIV incidence in this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 76% cannabis use prevalence
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional analysis from a clinical trial sample with multivariate adjustment, but cannot establish temporal or causal relationships.
- Study Age:
- 2024 analysis from the PUSH Study in four US cities
- Original Title:
- Patterns of Polysubstance Use in Young Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women and Its Association with Sexual Partnership Factors: The PUSH Study.
- Published In:
- Substance use & misuse, 59(3), 317-328 (2024)
- Authors:
- Arrington-Sanders, Renata, Galai, Noya, Falade-Nwulia, Oluwaseun, Hammond, Christopher, Wirtz, Andrea, Beyrer, Chris, Arteaga, Aubrey, Celentano, David
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05093
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common was cannabis use in this population?
Cannabis and alcohol were each used by 76% of participants, making them by far the most common substances. Nearly half used both together.
What sexual risks were associated with polysubstance use?
Polysubstance users had higher odds of being pressured into condomless sex, having partners more than 5 years older, and using condoms inconsistently.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05093APA
Arrington-Sanders, Renata; Galai, Noya; Falade-Nwulia, Oluwaseun; Hammond, Christopher; Wirtz, Andrea; Beyrer, Chris; Arteaga, Aubrey; Celentano, David. (2024). Patterns of Polysubstance Use in Young Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women and Its Association with Sexual Partnership Factors: The PUSH Study.. Substance use & misuse, 59(3), 317-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2267655
MLA
Arrington-Sanders, Renata, et al. "Patterns of Polysubstance Use in Young Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women and Its Association with Sexual Partnership Factors: The PUSH Study.." Substance use & misuse, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2267655
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Patterns of Polysubstance Use in Young Black and Latinx Sexu..." RTHC-05093. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/arrington-sanders-2024-patterns-of-polysubstance-use
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.