The Impacts of Isolation Measures Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Sexual Health

Alpalhão, Miguel; Filipe, Paulo

doi:10.1007/s10461-020-02853-x

Cited by 53 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…For example, they decreased-but not entirely eliminated-the number of their sexual partners and limited their SARS-CoV-2 exposure by reducing the frequency with which they kissed their sexual partner(s). Not surprisingly, as a result of these responses to the external threat of COVID-19, the MSM in this study (as in others 19 ) also reduced their risk of catching HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases by limiting their sexual repertoire and using condoms more often.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

Shilo

Mor

2020

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

109

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Background: Social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect the sexual behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM). In early March 2020, Israel imposed travel restrictions and limited social contacts to household members only. The effects of these restrictions on the sexual behavior and mental health of MSM are unknown. Aim: To assess sexual behaviors and mental health of Israeli MSM during social distancing and to compare sexual behaviors before and during social distancing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected through anonymous web-based questionnaires in a popular geospatial application used by MSM between March and April 2020 during the social-distancing period. Outcomes: The dependent variable was casual sex, in violation of social-distancing regulations. Independent variables were demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors before and during social-distancing restrictions, and mental health. Results: Of the 2,562 participants, 1,012 (39.5%) continued to meet new casual sex partners during this period. Being of a younger age, single, and with higher levels of mental distress predicted engagement in casual sex during the social-distancing period. MSM reduced their sexual risk and limited sexual repertoire-in particular, kissing with their sexual partners. Participants also spent more time in dating applications than in the preesocial-distancing period and increased their use of sex phone, webcams, and porn consumption. They perceived the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus to be greater than that of HIV: only 3.2% could imagine themselves having sex with a partner who is infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with 30.1% in case of HIV, P < .01. Clinical Implications: MSM reduced their risk behaviors during social distancing because of the threat of COVID-19. Casual sex during social distancing was associated with negative feelings of mental distress. Future public health response in the future waves of COVID-19 morbidity should strike a balance between containment measures and the need for social distancing with its possible mental and social burdens. Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study in Israel and one of the few in the world to examine sexual behaviors among MSM during the COVID-19 social distancing period. It involved a relatively large sample, through convenience sampling, which limits causality. Findings should be interpreted cautiously, specifically because COVID-19erelated behaviors and circumstances may change rapidly. Conclusion: The negative feelings of distress due to social distancing should be considered as a potential barrier to adherence among vulnerable populations, such as MSM. Future public health response should strike a balance between containment measures and its possible mental, social, and financial burdens.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

Shilo

Mor

2020

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

109

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“…Additional research is needed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV. For example, there is some evidence that suggests the social distancing required to prevent COVID-19 may negatively influence the sexual [13] and mental health [14] of LGBTQ individuals and disrupt HIV care [15]. The long-term impacts of social distancing measures will need to be examined to help social and health organizations, particularly those serving people living with HIV, respond appropriately to patient needs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Feel Almost as Though I’ve Lived This Before”: Insights from Sexual and Gender Minority Men on Coping with COVID-19

et al. 2020

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As communities struggle with how to cope with the health and social consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), sexual and gender minority men living with or affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic have important insights into how to cope with uncertainty, public health protocols, and grief. We recruited sexual and gender minority men using online networking apps from April 18-24, 2020 to enroll a longitudinal cohort. We analyzed baseline qualitative data from openended responses using content analysis to examine how the HIV/AIDS epidemic has helped sexual minority men with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 437 participants who completed the survey, 155 (35%) indicated that HIV/AIDS had helped them cope with COVID-19. Free-response data from those 135 of those participants clustered around four themes: (1) experience having lived through a pandemic, (2) experience coping with stigma, (3) familiarity with public health protocols, and (4) belief in collective action. Based on the experiences of these men, public health approaches centered on resilience and collective action could be particularly helpful in responding and coping with COVID-19-especially if the pandemic persists over longer periods of time.

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“…A possible explanation for this can be found in the finding that social isolation has generated impacts on the physical, psychological and sexual health of individuals (8)(9) . However, such repercussions are felt disproportionately according to population groups, and in the case of vulnerable people such as the group of men who have sex with men (MSM), who are historically marginalized and have their sexual practices rejected and socially limited to invisible/unseen places, the need for peer and similar social support may be more important and necessary (10)(11) , this is why failure to adhere completely to social isolation measures should be studied and better elucidated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suspected COVID-19 flu-like syndrome in men who have sex with men and have been involved in casual sex

Carvalho

Schneider

Sousa³

et al. 2020

Rev. Bras. Enferm.

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Objective: To evaluate the presence of flu-like syndrome suggestive of COVID-19 in men who have sex with men (MSM) and engaged in casual sex during a period of social isolation. Method: National epidemiological survey, applied in April and May 2020, by adaptation of Respondent Drive Sampling. Results: 1,337 MSM participated in the survey, of which 514 (38.4%) had fever associated with another sign or symptom of flu-like syndrome. Social, demographic characteristics, sexual practices and activities during the period of social isolation were statistically associated with the presence of flu-like syndrome. There was a statistical difference (p < 0.001) in the average of partners between those who had signs and symptoms of flu-like syndrome (3.5) and those who did not (1.7). Conclusion: Evidence of signs and symptoms indicative of flu-like syndrome suggestive of COVID 19 in Brazilian MSM who were involved in casual sex during the period of social isolation.

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The Impacts of Isolation Measures Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Sexual Health

Abstract: Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Cited by 53 publications

References 4 publications

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

“I Feel Almost as Though I’ve Lived This Before”: Insights from Sexual and Gender Minority Men on Coping with COVID-19

Suspected COVID-19 flu-like syndrome in men who have sex with men and have been involved in casual sex

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