Associations of Sleep Deficiency With Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Treatment Outcomes Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With or at High Risk of Acquiring HIV.

Abstract

Background: Associations of sleep deficiency and methamphetamine use with sexual health and HIV treatment outcomes are poorly understood.

Setting: A longitudinal cohort of men who have sex with men at risk for or living with HIV (the mSTUDY) was analyzed. This analysis included 1445 study visits among 382 participants. Data were collected from June 2018 to February 2022.

Methods: Semiannual study visits included self-interviews for sleep deficiency, sexual behaviors, substance use, and HIV treatment. Sleep deficiency was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Participants provided specimens for HIV viral load and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis). Associations between sleep deficiency and STI/HIV outcomes were estimated using multiple logistic regression.

Results: Across visits, the prevalence of sleep deficiency was 56%, with 33% reporting methamphetamine use and 55% living with HIV. Sleep deficiency was associated with reporting at least 1 new anal sex partner (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.15), exchange sex (aOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.15 to 6.39), sex party attendance (aOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.68 to 4.04), and missing HIV medications (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.14). The association between sleep deficiency and exchange sex differed for participants who did and did not report the use of methamphetamine (P = 0.09).

Conclusion: Sleep deficiency was associated with sexual health and HIV treatment behaviors after accounting for methamphetamine use. Sleep health should be considered in STI/HIV prevention, particularly for those who use methamphetamine.