Chemsex and Public Healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ Population in Brazil: A Scoping Review

• Grant number: 25/04763-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Morais Fernandes
• Grantee: Isadora Silva de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chemsex, a term referring to the use of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual experiences, has gained prominence primarily among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM); however, other populations, including the LGBTQIA+ community, have also been increasingly involved. This practice poses significant challenges to public health, particularly regarding the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV/aids, syphilis, and viral hepatitis, as well as the associated harms of substance use. Stigma, discrimination, and exclusionary social norms hinder LGBTQIA+ individuals' access to healthcare services, reducing adherence to effective preventive strategies imcluding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and consistent condom use. In Brazil, the Health Care Network, structured within the Unified Health System, aims to ensure universal and comprehensive access to healthcare, with Harm Reduction Policies serving as a key mechanism to mitigate the adverse effects of drug use and vulnerability to STIs. However, the scarcity of research on Chemsex among the LGBTQIA+ population in the Brazilian context, combined with the lack of training among healthcare professionals, creates additional barriers to adequate and inclusive care for this population. Given this scenario, this study seeks to deepen the understanding of the Chemsex phenomenon, its impacts on the holistic health of the LGBTQIA+ population, and the existing gaps in public policies and academic research through a scoping review. (AU)