Page 28 - IJPS-10-4

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

Table 1. Overview of characteristics of the included studies a decrease in chemsex and alcohol consumption among
(n=21) MSM, from 31.7% to 18.6% (p < 0.001) (95% Cl: 1.3 – 1.9)
and form 41.5% to 33.1% (p < 0.001) (95% Cl: 0.6 – 1.3),
Characteristics n (%) respectively. In Malaysia, Maviglia et al. (2022) studied
Study design recreational drug use in Malaysian MSM from August to
Cross-sectional study 20 (95.24) September 2021, revealing that 9.0% of MSM reported
Qualitative study 1 (4.76) involvement in chemsex within the last 6 months. While
Years of publication this prevalence rate was slightly lower than previous
2020 4 (19.05) findings among Malaysian MSM, it still fell within the
2021 7 (33.33) range observed among MSM in other regions of Asia.
2022 6 (28.57) However, a contrasting report from China by Lyu et al.
2023 4 (19.05) (2022) presented evidence of heightened recreational
Region (n=21) drug use within the MSM community throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that 31.82%
Asia and Oceania 7 (33.33) of participants engaged in recreational drug use in the
North America 7 (33.33) last 3 months. Among those who reported engaging in
Europe 5 (23.81) chemsex, the proportion increased to 42.16% (p < 0.007)
South America 2 (9.53) (95% Cl: 1.19 – 2.98), indicating a notable increase in
Data collecting country* recreational drug use among MSM during the COVID-19
United States of America 4 (18.18) pandemic.
Australia 2 (9.09) In summary, this section reveals diverse trends in
Brazil 2 (9.09) sexualized drug use among MSM globally during the
Canada 2 (9.09) pandemic. While some regions, such as the USA and Brazil,
People’s Republic of China 2 (9.09) saw an increase in substance use, others, such as Canada
Portugal 2 (9.09) and Mexico, reported a decline. Europe’s findings were
mixed. In Asia, contrasting trends were observed, with
Belgium 1 (4.55) increases in China and decreases in Israel. These findings
France 1 (4.55) indicate that the pandemic’s impact on drug use and sexual
Israel 1 (4.55) behaviors among MSM was complex and region-specific,
Malaysia 1 (4.55) influenced by various social, cultural, and health-related
Mexico 1 (4.55) factors.
the Netherlands 1 (4.55) 3.2. Sexual behaviors and drug usage issues among
Switzerland 1 (4.55) men who had sex with men during the COVID-19
United Kingdom 1 (4.55) pandemic
Note: *One study collected data from both Brazil and Portugal. The unprecedented global event of COVID-19 has had
substantial effects on human activities, primarily due to
likelihood of engaging in drug-facilitated sexual activity strict social constraints. These restrictions significantly
(all p < 0.01), particularly in London. Furthermore, a influenced social and sexual interactions, especially in the
study by Roux et al. (2022) investigating MSM in France context of substance use. It is argued that MSM experienced
found that 5% of participants engaged in chemsex, while unique transformations in their sexual conduct and
a substantial majority, amounting to 95%, abstained from substance use habits as a direct result of these enforced
such practices. measures. In this study, multinational research endeavors
In Asia and Oceania, Chow et al. (2021) investigated the were examined to contribute to the understanding of these
sexual behaviors of MSM in Australia during the second marked behavioral shifts once they were summarized.
COVID-19 lockdown. The study found a decrease in sexual As already mentioned, one of the prominent
activity and the number of casual partners during the consequences of social restrictions during the COVID-19
lockdown period. In addition, the majority of participants pandemic was the change in sexual behaviors among MSM.
reported abstaining from chemsex and group sex between Studies conducted globally, such as those by Sanchez et al.
May and August. In Israel, Shilo & Mor (2020) found that (2020) in the USA, Shilo & Mor (2020) in Israel, and Torres
coronavirus-related social distancing regulations led to et al. (2021) in Brazil, observed a considerable decline in the

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 22 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2599