Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Difficulty accessing condoms because of the COVID-19 pandemic reported by gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the UK: findings from a large, cross-sectional, online survey
| Content Provider | SAGE Publishing |
|---|---|
| Author | Brown, Jack Rg Reid, David Howarth, Alison R. Mohammed, Hamish Saunders, John Pulford, Caisey V. Ogaz, Dana Hughes, Gwenda Mercer, Catherine H. |
| Copyright Year | 2023 |
| Abstract | 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.MethodsQuestions 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.ResultsOf all participants (N = 1039), 7.4% (n = 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).ConclusionsA 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. |
| Related Links | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/09564624231160804?download=true |
| Starting Page | 541 |
| Ending Page | 547 |
| Page Count | 7 |
| ISSN | 09564624 |
| Issue Number | 8 |
| Volume Number | 34 |
| Journal | International Journal of STD & AIDS (STD) |
| e-ISSN | 17581052 |
| DOI | 10.1177/09564624231160804 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Sage Publications UK |
| Publisher Date | 2023-03-21 |
| Publisher Place | London |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Rights Holder | © The Author(s) 2023 |
| Subject Keyword | MSM sexual health contraception gender-diverse COVID-19 condoms |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
| Subject | Infectious Diseases Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Dermatology Pharmacology (medical) |
