Comprehensive chemsex harm reduction services for young MSM in Thailand: a four-pronged approach informed by multi-stakeholder perspectives (CLYMAX-1).
{"title":"Comprehensive chemsex harm reduction services for young MSM in Thailand: a four-pronged approach informed by multi-stakeholder perspectives (CLYMAX-1).","authors":"Akarin Hiransuthikul, Jakkrapatara Boonruang, Jarunee Siriphan, Arunrat Tangmunkongvorakul, Thitipun Sripitathanasakul, Pornpit Khomshuk, Sudarat Thongsuksangcharoen, Piranun Hongchookiat, Siriporn Nonenoy, Nittaya Phanuphak","doi":"10.1071/SH25109","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The lack of knowledge regarding the essential components of comprehensive chemsex services for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand poses a substantial obstacle to the development of such services. We explored perspectives from various stakeholders on the necessary components of comprehensive chemsex services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted in-person with 60 key informants: 40 MSM who use chemsex, 10 peers/family members and 10 service providers. A codebook was developed based on a priori themes of the interview guide and emergent themes from transcripts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified four components that should be incorporated into comprehensive chemsex services. First, promoting substance use literacy is the top priority. In particular, people who use chemsex value a reliable source of information on chemsex-related harms and mitigating strategies. Second, mental health counseling from specialists, such as psychologists or psychiatrists, due to relationships between mental health and chemsex use. Third, sexual health services, including routine sexually transmitted infections screening, and the provision of preventive measures, such as PrEP and condoms. Fourth, legal and stigma consultation are crucial in the context of the country's punitive laws and common abusive practices toward people who use substances. Some MSM prefer onsite services for a more professional feel and effective communication, whereas others prefer online services due to experienced/anticipated stigma and discrimination.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Chemsex-specific literacy, mental health services, sexual health services, and legal and stigma consultation were identified as key chemsex service components, and their inclusion in comprehensive chemsex services for MSM in Thailand should be further explored.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Sexual health","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1071/SH25109","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"INFECTIOUS DISEASES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The lack of knowledge regarding the essential components of comprehensive chemsex services for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand poses a substantial obstacle to the development of such services. We explored perspectives from various stakeholders on the necessary components of comprehensive chemsex services.
Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted in-person with 60 key informants: 40 MSM who use chemsex, 10 peers/family members and 10 service providers. A codebook was developed based on a priori themes of the interview guide and emergent themes from transcripts.
Results: We identified four components that should be incorporated into comprehensive chemsex services. First, promoting substance use literacy is the top priority. In particular, people who use chemsex value a reliable source of information on chemsex-related harms and mitigating strategies. Second, mental health counseling from specialists, such as psychologists or psychiatrists, due to relationships between mental health and chemsex use. Third, sexual health services, including routine sexually transmitted infections screening, and the provision of preventive measures, such as PrEP and condoms. Fourth, legal and stigma consultation are crucial in the context of the country's punitive laws and common abusive practices toward people who use substances. Some MSM prefer onsite services for a more professional feel and effective communication, whereas others prefer online services due to experienced/anticipated stigma and discrimination.
Conclusion: Chemsex-specific literacy, mental health services, sexual health services, and legal and stigma consultation were identified as key chemsex service components, and their inclusion in comprehensive chemsex services for MSM in Thailand should be further explored.
期刊介绍：
Sexual Health publishes original and significant contributions to the fields of sexual health including HIV/AIDS, Sexually transmissible infections, issues of sexuality and relevant areas of reproductive health. This journal is directed towards those working in sexual health as clinicians, public health practitioners, researchers in behavioural, clinical, laboratory, public health or social, sciences. The journal publishes peer reviewed original research, editorials, review articles, topical debates, case reports and critical correspondence.
Officially sponsored by:
The Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine of RACP
Sexual Health Society of Queensland
Sexual Health is the official journal of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI), Asia-Pacific, and the Asia-Oceania Federation of Sexology.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
