Physical Distancing Due to COVID-19 Disrupts Sexual Behaviors Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia: Implications for Trends in HIV and Other Sexually Transmissible Infections

Abstract

Introduction: In March 2020, Australian state and federal governments introduced physical distancing measures alongside widespread testing to combat COVID-19. These measures may decrease people's sexual contacts and thus reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). We investigated the impact of physical distancing measures due to COVID-19 on the sexual behavior of gay and bisexual men in Australia. Methods: Between April 4, 2020, and April 29, 2020, 940 participants in an ongoing cohort study responded to questions to measure changes in sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Men reported the date they become concerned about COVID-19 and whether they engaged in sexual behavior with regular or casual partners or “fuckbuddies” in the 6 months before becoming concerned about COVID-19 (hereafter referred to as “before COVID-19”), and following the date, they become concerned about COVID-19 (hereafter referred to as “since COVID-19”). Before and since COVID-19 was based on individual participants' own perceived date of becoming concerned about COVID-19. Results: The mean age of was 39.9 years (SD: 13.4). Most participants (88.3%) reported sex with other men during the 6 months before COVID-19. Of the 587 men (62.4%) who reported sex with casual partners before COVID-19, 93 (15.8%) continued to do so in the period since COVID-19, representing a relative reduction of 84.2%. Conclusion: Gay and bisexual men in Australia have dramatically reduced their sexual contacts with other men since COVID-19. These behavioral changes will likely result in short-term reductions in new HIV and STI diagnoses. If sexual health screenings are undertaken before resuming sexual activity, this could present a novel opportunity to interrupt chains of HIV and STI transmission.

Reduced sexual contacts with non-steady partners and less PrEP use among MSM in Belgium during the first weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown: results of an online survey

“…This is in line with studies in the USA and Australia where MSM indicated fewer sexual partners or having less opportunities for having sex. [17][18][19] The reduced sexual activities with sexual partners outside the household is likely to result in reduced HIV and STI transmission among MSM. Among those who had sex with non-steady partners during the lockdown in our study, more than two-third were using PrEP or were HIV positive.…”

Overview of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults living with HIV

“…104,105 Other studies (but not all) have described substantial reductions in sex with non-steady partners during the first weeks of lockdown among men who have sex with men (MSM). [106][107][108][109] These studies describe MSM as indicating fewer sexual partners or fewer opportunities for having sex. Reduced sexual activity with sexual partners external to the household is more likely to result in reduced sexual transmitted infections among HIV-positive MSM.…”

Substance use, sexual behavior, and general well-being of U.S. college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief report

“…20 Less is known about college students' sexual behavior during the pandemic, although research with non-college student samples has shown a decrease in sexual activity and increase in dating app usage 21 since the implementation of social distancing guidelines. 18,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Engaging in substance use and sexual behavior to cope with COVID-19-related distress may not only increase students' risk for experiencing negative health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections), but also increase their risk for COVID-19 transmission and acquistion. [31][32][33] Changes in the health behaviors and psychosocial well-being of U.S. college students due to the pandemic may highlight the need for universities to adapt existing prevention and intervention services to address the mental and behavioral health needs of college students during the era of COVID-19.…”