Page 29 - IJPS-10-4

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

Health‑ care interventions or measures Promoting safe sex practices and cultural competency and sensitivity training for health- care providers Promoting safe sex practices and cultural competency and sensitivity training for health- care providers Public health measures should enhance HIV testing and treatment, safe sex practices, and remote health- care access for MSM during the COVID-19. N/A N/A (Cont’d...

Digital health technologies N/A N/A The pivotal role of digital health technologies and telemedicine in bridging the gap created by the pandemic. N/A Digital technologies and telemedicine may substitute traditional services, offering virtual care, counseling, and harm reduction resources.

Health disparities N/A N/A Misconceptions about protective measures against COVID-19 also contributed to disparities and a need for enhanced health education among MSM. N/A Decreased harm reduction services, stigma, social isolation, mental health concerns, and lack of customized support.

Accessibility of health‑ care services N/A N/A N/A N/A MSM in chemsex struggled to access affordable, available health care and substance treatment during the pandemic.

Mental health issues The pandemic intensified mental distress among MSM engaging in chemsex. The pandemic heightened stress among MSM engaged in chemsex, as social restrictions limited casual sex encounters, prompting increased reliance on online sexual platforms. Pandemic- induced isolation and economic instability heightened mental health issues among MSM engaging in chemsex. N/A The pandemic heightened stress,

Table 2. Summary of data mapping, analysis, and synthesis of screening results
Sexual behaviors and drug usage COVID-19 decreased sexual encounters and app dating and increased drug/alcohol use. During the COVID-19 lockdown, some MSM engaging in chemsex increased their use of virtual sexual activities due to reduced partner numbers and sexual frequency. Social restrictions altered MSM chemsex practices, increasing group sex and reducing protective measures. Pandemic- related stressors mig

Trends Increased Decreased Increased Decreased N/A

Samples 1,051 MSM aged older than 15 years 2,562 MSM aged older than 18 years 920 MSM aged 18 – 66 years 910 MSM aged 18 or older 376 MSM aged 18 or older

Design Cross- sectional study Cross- sectional study Cross- sectional study Cross- sectional study Cross- sectional study

Country USA Israel Brazil and Portugal USA Canada

Sources Sanchez et al. (2020) Shilo & Mor (2020) Sousa et al. (2020) Starks et al. (2020) Card et al. (2021)

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 23 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2599