Chlamydial Infection Among Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Sexual and Reproductive Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hill, Brian H.; Anderson, Brie; Lock, Li

doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000001556

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Therefore, the pandemic severely disrupted access to sexual health services for young individuals (26), increasing the risk of contracting STIs. Moreover, rates of both symptomatic and asymptomatic STI testing experienced a decline during the initial months of the pandemic (27).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and reproductive health of university students with a gender and ethnicity focus before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Castro-Benavides,

Morales,

Balboa

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Understanding the sexual and reproductive health practices among university students is crucial due to the transitional phase to adulthood and the potential associated risks. This study aimed to determine sexual and reproductive health practices among university students according to gender, year, and ethnicity. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2021 at the University of La Frontera, involving first-year students. The study included 5131 participants, accounting for 58.36% of the total enrolled students. Among the participants, 55.4% were female, and the average age was 18.9 years. Results The study revealed that men engaged in higher levels of sexual activity compared to women, with men initiating sexual intercourse at a significantly younger age. Furthermore, women reported lower condom usage in their last sexual encounter and had a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within the past 12 months. Women also demonstrated a higher frequency of HIV testing, which was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In terms of ethnicity, students identifying as Mapuche displayed a lower proportion of sexual activity compared to those not identifying as Mapuche. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in sexual activity and the prevalence of STIs, potentially reflecting an annual global trend observed in other research studies as well. Moreover, there was an increasing trend in condom use each year, while HIV testing showed a decline, possibly influenced by the pandemic. Conclusions These findings underscore the significance of addressing gender differences, promoting healthy behaviours, and advocating for condom use during sexual encounters. It is essential to implement strategies for STI prevention and encourage regular HIV testing, particularly among high-risk individuals. Additionally, tailored interventions targeting the specific needs of the Mapuche ethnicity should be developed to ensure equitable sexual and reproductive health. The pandemic has significantly impacted sexual activity and sexual health among university students, highlighting the necessity of adapting and reinforcing sexual education and prevention programs in this context.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and reproductive health of university students with a gender and ethnicity focus before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Castro-Benavides,

Morales,

Balboa

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Another study of at-home STI testing in 1 New York City PrEP clinic reported chlamydia and gonorrhea positivity similar to our findings and no change in pre- and during-pandemic positivity [ 36 ]. Three studies reported increased chlamydia and 2 reported increased gonorrhea positivity during the pandemic, but these increases were in the context of decreased testing volumes, and increased positivity may be an artifact of shifts toward testing symptomatic individuals [ 8 , 9 , 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexually Transmitted Infection Transmission Dynamics During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Among Urban Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men

Schumacher¹,

Thornton²,

Wagner³

et al. 2022

Clinical Infectious Diseases

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Background The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation measures on sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission and racial disparities remains unknown. Our objectives were to compare sex and drug risk behaviors, access to sexual health services, and STI positivity overall and by race during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-pandemic among urban sexual minority men (MSM). Methods Sexually active MSM aged 18–45 years were administered a behavioral survey and STI testing every 3-months. Participants who completed at least 1 during-pandemic (April 2020–December 2020) and 1 pre-pandemic study visit (before 13 March 2020) that occurred less than 6 months apart were included. Regression models were used to compare during- and pre-pandemic visit outcomes. Results Overall, among 231 MSM, reports of more than 3 sex partners declined(pandemic-1: adjusted prevalence ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval: .54–.86; pandemic-2: 0.65, .51–.84; pandemic-3: 0.57, .43–.75), substance use decreased (pandemic-1: 0.75, .61–.75; pandemic-2: 0.62, .50–.78; pandemic-3: 0.61, .47–.80), and human immunodeficiency virus/preexposure prophylaxis care engagement (pandemic-1: 1.20, 1.07–1.34; pandemic-2: 1.24, 1.11–1.39; pandemic-3: 1.30, 1.16–1.47) increased. STI testing decreased (pandemic-1: 0.68, .57–.81; pandemic-2: 0.78, .67–.92), then rebounded (pandemic-3: 1.01, .87–1.18). Neither Chlamydia (pandemic-2: 1.62, .75–3.46; pandemic-3: 1.13, .24–1.27) nor gonorrhea (pandemic-2: 0.87, .46 1.62; pandemic-3: 0.56, .24–1.27) positivity significantly changed during vs pre-pandemic. Trends were mostly similar among Black vs. non-Black MSM. Conclusions We observed sustained decreases in STI risk behaviors but minimal change in STI positivity during compared with pre-pandemic. Our findings underscore the need for novel STI prevention strategies that can be delivered without in-person interactions.

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“…Although some adolescents were still engaging in sexual behavior during the pandemic (Yarger et al, 2021), many adjusted their sexual and romantic relationships to accommodate reduced access to in‐person partners (Goldstein & Flicker, 2020; Nelson et al, 2020; Stavridou et al, 2021). Additionally, adolescent sexual health may have been negatively influenced by the COVID‐19 pandemic; for example, STI testing decreased despite increasing STI rates (Bonett et al, 2021, 2022; Hill et al, 2022). However, some aspects of sexual and romantic health may have been unaffected by the pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2020; Nelson et al, 2020;Stavridou et al, 2021). Additionally, adolescent sexual health may have been negatively influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic; for example, STI testing decreased despite increasing STI rates (Bonett et al, 2021(Bonett et al, , 2022Hill et al, 2022). However, some aspects of sexual and romantic health may have been unaffected by the pandemic.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“An escape from the isolation”: Youth thoughts about the impact of COVID‐19 on adolescent sexual behavior and alcohol use

Stout,

Ybarra,

Mitchell

et al. 2024

Journal of Adolescence

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IntroductionThe COVID‐19 pandemic likely affected adolescent sexual behaviors and alcohol use, although how is not well understood.MethodYouth were sampled from the national, online longitudinal Growing up with Media study. They responded via text messaging to open‐ended questions about how the COVID‐19 pandemic may have impacted the sexual behavior and alcohol use of adolescents. Conventional content analysis summarized open‐ended responses.Results416 responses were analyzed from 335 participants (aged 15–30, US residents), 81 of whom provided data for both topics. Participants suggested that the pandemic affected some youths' sexual health precautions (increased and varying) and attitudes about sex (positive and negative). They discussed how adolescents met partners during the pandemic, including increased use of online platforms. Participants also suggested researchers investigate sexual risk in the realm of COVID‐19 transmission and the practice of “safe sex.” Many participants believed adolescents were drinking alcohol more as a result of the pandemic, both alone and with friends; however, others perceived adolescents were drinking less. Participants proposed researchers investigate adolescent drinking habits during the pandemic, as well as how this compares to before the pandemic and the type and quantity of alcohol consumed.ConclusionsYoung people believe adolescent sexual relationships and drinking behaviors changed due to the pandemic, though how varied. Future research could examine the contexts and individual differences that shape these varying behaviors. Overall, this study highlights the importance of directly asking youth about their pandemic experiences and the diversity of views on how the pandemic has influenced adolescent behavior.

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Chlamydial Infection Among Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Sexual and Reproductive Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Sexual and reproductive health of university students with a gender and ethnicity focus before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sexual and reproductive health of university students with a gender and ethnicity focus before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sexually Transmitted Infection Transmission Dynamics During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Among Urban Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men

“An escape from the isolation”: Youth thoughts about the impact of COVID‐19 on adolescent sexual behavior and alcohol use

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