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- Title
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.
- Authors
Schumacher, Christina M; Thornton, Nicole; Wagner, Jessica; Tilchin, Carla; Ghanem, Khalil G; Hamill, Matthew M; Latkin, Carl; Rompalo, Anne; Ruhs, Sebastian; Greenbaum, Adena; Jennings, Jacky M
- Abstract
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). Nei-ther 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.
- Subjects
RISK-taking behavior; SUBSTANCE abuse; MINORITIES; HUMAN sexuality; RACE; REGRESSION analysis; SEXUALLY transmitted diseases; COMPARATIVE studies; SEX customs; MEN who have sex with men; ODDS ratio; COVID-19 pandemic; GAY people; SEXUAL health; INFECTIOUS disease transmission
- Publication
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2022, Vol 75, Issue 1, pe1137
- ISSN
1058-4838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/cid/ciab1053