Objective:

To analyze the profile of psychoactive substance consumption in men who have sex with men from three cities of Colombia.

Method:

An empirical analytical cross-sectional study was conducted through respondent-driven sampling, with a sample of 1301 men who have sex with other men. Absolute and relative proportions were calculated, and a multiple correspondence analysis was performed, for each city under study, and overall.

Results:

The three cities under study report similar characteristics, with individuals under 30 years old predominating, low and middle economic levels, the majority living with relatives and non-relatives, and approximately 2 out of 10 having casual partners. Over 13.6% engage in sex work, and a prevalence of consumption exceeding 84.1% was found in each city under study. The profile most associated with psychoactive substance consumption was individuals under 25 years old, attending public gathering places such as bars, saunas, and internet cafes. Moreover, these individuals had a high level of education and reported discrimination in the last 12 months.

Conclusion:

The profiles provide essential information for developing public health strategies that effectively address the needs of the MSM population. These strategies should be sensitive to regional differences and consider risk perception, socioeconomic factors, and education to prevent the spread of HIV and promote health in this population.

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