Correlates of heavy substance use among young gay and bisexual men: The San Francisco Young Men's Health Study

Correlates of heavy substance use among a household-based sample of young g ay and bisexual men (n = 428) were identified and the odds ratio (OR) was c alculated. A total of 13.6% reported frequent, heavy alcohol use and 43% re ported polydrug use. Compared with men employed in professional occupations , men in service positions (OR = 3.77) and sales positions (OR = 2.51) were more likely to be heavy alcohol consumers. Frequent gay bar attendance and multiple sex partners were related to heavy alcohol use, as well as to pol ydrug use. Polydrug users were more likely to be HIV seropositive (OR = 2.0 5) or of unknown HIV serostatus (OR = 2.78). HIV serostatus was similarly r elated to frequent drug use. These correlates of heavier substance use amon g young gay and bisexual men could be used to identify and intervene early with members of this population who are at risk of substance misuse, as wel l as HIV/AIDS risk. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reser ved.