The Circuit Party Men's Health Survey: Findings and implications for gay and bisexual men

Objectives. This study examined characteristics of gay and bisexual men who attend circuit parties, frequency of and motivations for attending parties , drug use and sexual behavior during circuit party weekends, and use of ri sk reduction materials available at parties. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 295 gay and bisexual men from the San Francisco Bay Area who had attended a circuit party in the previous year. Results. One fourth of the men reported a drug "overuse" incident in the pr evious year. Nearly all respondents reported use of drugs during circuit pa rty weekends, including ecstasy (75%), ketamine (58%). crystal methamphetam ine (36%), gamma hydroxybutyrate or gamma butyrolactone (25%), and Viagra ( 12%). Two thirds of the men reported having sex (oral or anal), 49% reporte d having anal sex, and 28% reported having unprotected anal sex during the 3-day period. An association was found between use of drugs and sexual risk behavior. Prevention materials were observed at party events by some men; however, relatively few men used the materials. Common motivations for atte nding the parties were "to listen to music and dance" and "to be with frien ds." Conclusions. Intensive, targeted health promotion efforts are needed for ga y and bisexual men who attend circuit parties.