Does treatment readiness shape service-design preferences of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who use crystal methamphetamine? A cross sectional study
Date
2022
Authors
Card, Kiffer G.
McGuire, Madison
Berlin, Graham W.
Wells, Gordon A.
Fulcher, Karyn
Nguyen, Tribesty
Hart, Trevor A.
Skakoon Sparling, Shayna
Lachowsky, Nathan J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
Crystal methamphetamine (CM) disproportionately impacts gay, bisexual, and other men
who have sex with men (gbMSM). However, not all gbMSM are interested in changing their substance
use. The present study aimed to examine whether participant-preferred service characteristics were
associated with their readiness to change. We surveyed gbMSM who used CM in the past six months,
aged 18 plus years, on dating platforms. Participants rated service-design characteristics from “very
unimportant” to “very important”. Multivariable regression tested service preference ratings across
levels of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES-8D). Among
291 participants, 38.7% reported their CM use was not problematic, 19.5% were not ready to take any
action to reduce or stop using CM, and 41.7% were ready to take action. On average, participants
rated inclusive, culturally-appropriate, out-patient counselling-based interventions as most important.
Participants with greater readiness-to-change scores rated characteristics higher than gbMSM with
lesser readiness. Contingency management and non-abstinence programming were identified as
characteristics that might engage those with lesser readiness. Services should account for differences
in readiness-to-change. Programs that provide incentives and employ harm reduction principles are
needed for individuals who may not be seeking to reduce or change their CM use.
Description
Keywords
methamphetamine, gay and bisexual men, patient-oriented care, intervention design, readiness to change
Citation
Card, K., McGuire, M., Berlin, G., Wells, G., Fulcher, K., . . . Lachowsky, N. (2022). “Does treatment readiness shape service-design preferences of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who use crystal methamphetamine? A cross sectional study.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063458