From the College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Sex Transm Dis. 2022 Dec 1;49(12):844-850. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001719. Epub 2022 Sep 30.
The purpose was to assess COVID-19 beliefs and attitudes and examine COVID-19-related changes in sexual behavior of men who have sex with men during 3 time periods: April-July 2020 (T1), August-December 2020 (T2), January-May 2021 (T3).
Data were analyzed from 157 men who have sex with men in Ohio recruited to participate in a longitudinal multisite network study of syphilis epidemiology in 3 US cities: Columbus, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; and Chicago, Illinois. In April 2020, a COVID-19 module was appended to existing baseline and follow-up surveys to assess beliefs, attitudes, and changes in sexual behavior. Sample characteristics were summarized. Correlations between demographic variables (age, racial identity) and COVID-19 outcomes were examined.
In response to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and self-reported anxiety, some men limited sexual activity at T1, but the majority (n = 105 [67%]) continued to engage in sex. The number of men engaging in sex increased over time (T2: n = 124 [79%]; T3: n = 121 [77%]). At T1, men not in a relationship more frequently reported having less sex compared with prepandemic (n = 39 [57%]). By T3, men in a relationship more frequently reported less sex (n = 32 [54%]). Increased anxiety about sex and condom use was positively correlated with identifying as a man of color (P < 0.001). Most of the sample reported either starting or increasing online sexual activity during each time period.
Future efforts to target sexual health during a pandemic or other health emergencies should prioritize men of color and address the unique perspective of both single and partnered men.
本研究旨在评估男性性行为者在 COVID-19 大流行期间的 COVID-19 信念和态度，并探讨 COVID-19 相关的性行为变化。研究共分为三个时间阶段：2020 年 4 月至 7 月（T1）、2020 年 8 月至 12 月（T2）和 2021 年 1 月至 5 月（T3）。
研究数据来自俄亥俄州的 157 名男男性行为者，他们被招募参加在美国三个城市（俄亥俄州哥伦布市、马里兰州巴尔的摩市和伊利诺伊州芝加哥市）进行的梅毒流行病学纵向多地点网络研究。2020 年 4 月，在现有的基线和随访调查中增加了 COVID-19 模块，以评估信念、态度和性行为变化。总结样本特征。检验人口统计学变量（年龄、种族身份）与 COVID-19 结局的相关性。
由于 COVID-19 社交距离限制和自我报告的焦虑，一些男性在 T1 时限制了性行为，但大多数男性（n=105[67%]）仍继续发生性行为。随着时间的推移，发生性行为的男性人数有所增加（T2：n=124[79%]；T3：n=121[77%]）。在 T1 时，与疫情前相比，没有伴侣的男性报告性行为减少的比例更高（n=39[57%]）。到 T3 时，有伴侣的男性报告性行为减少的比例更高（n=32[54%]）。对性和避孕套使用的焦虑增加与被认定为有色人种呈正相关（P<0.001）。大多数参与者在每个时间点都报告开始或增加了在线性活动。
未来在大流行或其他卫生紧急情况下开展的针对性行为健康的工作应优先考虑有色人种，并解决单身和伴侣男性的独特视角。
