Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.
The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London in Partnership with the UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
Int J STD AIDS. 2023 Jul;34(8):541-547. doi: 10.1177/09564624231160804. Epub 2023 Mar 21.
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 restrictions severely reduced face-to-face sexual health services, an important access point for condoms. We examine whether gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the UK had difficulty accessing condoms during the first year of the pandemic, and if so, which groups were most affected. METHODS: Questions about difficulty accessing condoms were asked as part of a short, online cross-sectional survey of GBMSM undertaken November/December 2021, recruited via social media and Grindr. Eligible participants were UK-resident GBMSM (cis/trans/gender-diverse person assigned male at birth [AMAB]), aged ≥16 years who were sexually active (reported sex with men in the last year). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine if and how reporting this outcome varied by key sociodemographic, health and behavioural factors independent of the potential confounding effect of numbers of new male sex partners. RESULTS: Of all participants ( = 1039), 7.4% ( = 77) reported difficulty accessing condoms due to the pandemic. This was higher among younger GBMSM (aged 16-29 years vs. ≥45; 12.8% vs. 4.9%; aOR: 2.78); trans/gender-diverse AMAB participants (vs. cis gender males; 24.4% vs. 6.6%; aOR = 4.86); bisexually-identifying participants (vs. gay-identifying; 11.1% vs. 6.5%; aOR = 1.78); and those without degree level education (vs. having a degree; 9.8% vs. 5.6%; aOR = 2.01). CONCLUSIONS: A minority of sexually active GBMSM reported difficulty accessing condoms because of the pandemic, however, this was more common amongst those who already experience a disproportionate burden of poor sexual health. Interventions are needed to address these inequalities in accessing this important primary STI/HIV prevention measure.
背景:COVID-19 限制措施严重减少了面对面的性健康服务,这是获得避孕套的重要途径。我们研究了在大流行的第一年,英国的男同性恋、双性恋和其他与男性发生性关系的男性(GBMSM)是否难以获得避孕套,如果是这样,哪些群体受影响最大。
方法:在 2021 年 11 月/12 月通过社交媒体和 Grindr 招募的针对 GBMSM 的一项简短在线横断面调查中,询问了有关获得避孕套困难的问题。合格的参与者是英国居住的 GBMSM(顺/跨/性别多样化的人出生时被指定为男性[AMAB]),年龄≥16 岁,性行为活跃(报告在过去一年中与男性发生过性关系)。多变量逻辑回归用于检查在不考虑新男性性伴侣数量潜在混杂影响的情况下,报告这种结果是否以及如何因关键社会人口统计学、健康和行为因素而异。
结果:在所有参与者中(n=1039),有 7.4%(n=77)因大流行而报告难以获得避孕套。这在较年轻的 GBMSM 中更高(16-29 岁与≥45 岁;12.8%与 4.9%;aOR:2.78);跨性别多样化的 AMAB 参与者(与顺性别男性相比;24.4%与 6.6%;aOR=4.86);双性恋认同者(与同性恋认同者相比;11.1%与 6.5%;aOR=1.78);和没有学位教育的人(与有学位的人相比;9.8%与 5.6%;aOR=2.01)。
结论:少数活跃的 GBMSM 报告说由于大流行难以获得避孕套,但在那些已经经历性健康状况不佳的不成比例负担的人中更为常见。需要采取干预措施来解决在获得这种重要的主要性传播感染/艾滋病毒预防措施方面的这些不平等现象。