A systematic review of intervention strategies aimed at chemsex users

Abstract

Interventions on chemsex, namely, the intentional use of specific drugs to enhance or intensify sexual experiences by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, are diverse. Despite evidence of their impact on physical, mental, and sexual health, there is no clear agreement on the best intervention strategies and approaches. In this review, we aimed to analyze and synthesize existing research on interventions addressing chemsex among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender and non-binary people. We conducted a systematic search of the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SciELO for articles published between April and May 2024. In total, 272 articles were identified, of which 12 were reviewed. Despite the limited evidence and heterogeneity of the findings, the results suggested that the available interventions can improve various factors associated with sexual, mental, and physical health. Conclusion This systematic review provides a better understanding of the interventions aimed at addressing chemsex. However, the paucity of available treatments underscores the need to implement evidence-based intervention programs aimed at improving the health of people involved in chemsex beyond mere screening.