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October 21, 2005

Study: Circuit parties spread HIV

A new study of circuit parties has found evidence for what many have suspected: The events, first created to raise awareness and funding for AIDS prevention, actually increase the risk of HIV among partygoers and are a threat to public health. The study by researchers at Northwestern University is an analysis of existing research.

The study shows that up to a quarter of the circuit party attendees say they are HIV-positive and use crystal meth or ecstasy. In fact, in one survey, 95% of partygoers admitted using psychoactive drugs, and six out of 10 used three or more drugs in one night. Two thirds of those surveyed reported being sexually active, but only two in 10 reported engaging in "safe anal sex." Almost one third reported multiple sex partners, and almost half of those said that their sex was unprotected.

Although circuit parties were ostensibly created to raise awareness about AIDS, one study reported that 14% of the attendees actually said they were there to "forget about HIV/AIDS." (Sirius OutQ News)

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