Page 25 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Chemsex among MSM during the COVID-19 pandemic

Suárez et al., 2020; Saladino et al., 2020). In addition, it has in chemsex practices, which involved the use of drugs
influenced sexual behaviors and substance use activities during sexual activity (Uhrmacher et al., 2022). These
(Sanchez et al., 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has had trends have indirectly contributed to a heightened risk of
negative consequences on well-being, health behaviors, sexually transmitted diseases during the pandemic (Starks
mental health, social relationships, and the economy et al., 2020; Sousa et al., 2021; Xavier Hall et al., 2022).
compared to pre-pandemic times (Alizadeh et al., 2023; In addition, it was found that the quarantine measures
Hosseinzadeh et al., 2022; Manchia et al., 2022; Sanchez created challenges for MSM using drugs to access health-
et al., 2020). In particular, the COVID-19 situation care providers for help in reducing their drug use (Card
has been argued to negatively influence mental health et al., 2021; Petrova et al., 2022).
and sexual wellness, especially among those within the The aforementioned oversight of sexualized drug
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, use or chemsex practice among MSM demonstrates the
or another diverse gender identity (LGBTQ+) community behavioral health impact on both physical and mental
(Eleuteri et al., 2022; Nowaskie & Roesler, 2022; Roux health. However, the sexualized drug use or chemsex
et al., 2022). Members of this community included men practice among MSM during the COVID-19 pandemic has
who were engaging in same-sex activities, some of whom not been systematically narrated. In addition, the current
were already grappling with elevated mental health issues situation and findings on this topic from the existing
(Brennan et al., 2020; Petrova et al., 2022). Despite the high literature, which could lead to further research and
contagiousness of the virus and its impact on everyday practice in the field, have not been identified. Therefore,
life, some of these men continued to pursue intimate this literature review aims to examine the health-related
connections beyond their households through risk-prone issues regarding sexualized drug use among MSM amid
sexual practices (Starks et al., 2020; Sousa et al., 2020). the COVID-19 pandemic to ascertain the effects of
In recent times, the trend of consuming mind-altering these practices. It also seeks to summarize the role of
substances during sexual encounters, referred to as health-care providers in proactively managing MSM’s
chemsex, has escalated among men who have sex with men drug use behavior while attempting to halt the spread of
(MSM), a group more inclined to use illegal substances COVID-19 and continuing to offer addiction treatment.
compared to those who identify as heterosexual (Maxwell The findings from this study could potentially guide the
et al., 2019). These substances, typically used to enhance design and implementation of public health and behavioral
sexual experiences, include stimulants such as mephedrone, science interventions to address the health behavior risks,
methamphetamine, and ketamine, as well as sedatives such prevention, and safety of drug use among MSM during and
as gamma-hydroxybutyrate/gamma-butyrolactone (GHB/ after the pandemic.
GBL) (Giorgetti et al., 2017; Power et al., 2018). Several
research efforts have investigated how the global outbreak 2. Methods
influenced the sexual practices of MSM across different 2.1. Search strategy
nations, including trends in chemsex and the effects of This study is a narrative review of existing literature,
social distancing measures (Starks et al., 2020; Sanchez et al., conducted using narrative review methods. The search
2020). Certain findings indicated a surge in drug use during strategy was based on the PICO model. In this model, “P”
intimate encounters amid the health crisis (Charest, 2021; or “Population” referred to MSM engaging in sexualized
Torres et al., 2021; Lyu et al., 2022; Xavier Hall et al., 2022), drug use or chemsex. “I” or “Intervention” refers to
while others found a decline due to quarantine regulations the type of chemsex or sexualized drug use. “C” or
(Shilo & Mor, 2020; Starks et al., 2020; Chow et al., 2021; “Comparison” involved comparing MSM participating in
Reyniers, 2021; Gómez-Castro et al., 2022). However, when chemsex with those who did not, in order to identify health
sexual encounters occur, the effects of recreational drug outcome differences during the pandemic. Finally, “O” or
use can increase the occurrence of issues, such as sexually “Outcome” encapsulated usage patterns and impacts of
transmitted diseases due to not using condoms and unsafe sexualized drug use or chemsex among MSM in the midst
injection practices (Donnadieu-Rigole et al., 2020; Sanchez of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the PICo model
et al., 2020; Sousa et al., 2021). was used as a search strategy when looking for descriptive
Furthermore, several studies have shown a correlation and cross-sectional research. Here, “P” or “Population”
between the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in sexual again stood for MSM engaging in chemsex, while “I” or
health behaviors. Notably, there has been a significant “Phenomena of Interest” referred to behaviors such as
decrease in condom and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) casual sex encounters during social distancing regulations
usage during this period, accompanied by an increase or the impact of lockdown measures on MSM engaging in

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 19 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2599