Chemgen Study: Assessing the Consumption of Care in General Practice of Men with Sexual Relationships with Men Users of Psychoactive Products in a Sexual Context

Context Chemsex involves mental and sexual health risks for users, which generate specific needs in primary care. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the general practitioner (GP) in the identification of disorders and first aid offered to MSM chemsex users (CUs). Methods Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire offered to MSM patients consulting in six Parisian STI clinics. The primary endpoint was the number of GP visits reported by patients in the past 12 months between CUs and control. Results Three hundred sixty-four MSMs were included between October and December of 2018: 94 CUs (25.9%) and 270 control. The multivariate analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the number of GP visits in the past 12 months (3.27 vs 2.66, p = 0.205). CUs had a higher number of sexual partners ( p < 0.001) and used PrEP more often (OR 3.33 [CI95% 1.81–6.22]). Among the CUs, 67% had consulted their GP for STI testing in the last 12 months and 29.7% for PrEP. About 28.3% had ever mentioned their chemsex practices at GP and 10.9% had taken sick leaves at least once. Conclusion Our study explored the impact of chemsex on the demand for care at GP. There is an association of chemsex with PrEP. Policy Implications The relays of PrEP and chemsex care in general practice in the coming years require an awareness from health professionals. The management of chemsex complications should be extended into care networks and include GPs.