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







                 Health‑ care   interventions or   measures  N/A              (Cont’d...)






                 Digital health   technologies  Advocated   for online   interventions   tailored for   MSM to mitigate   depression   symptoms during   the COVID-19   pandemic. They   suggested that   digital platforms   were ideal for this   purpose due to   their convenience   and alignment with   epidemic control   measures in China.








                 Health   disparities  The study   revealed a 47.7%   prevalence of   depression   symptoms among   HIV- negative/  unknown MSM   during the   pandemic, a rate   higher compared   to the general   population   or data from   pre- pandemic   MSM studies.   Lockdowns   exacerbated these   mental health   issues, potentially   leading to riskier   sexual behaviors,   poor PrEP   adherence, and   self- harm.



                 Accessibility   of health‑ care   services  Advocated for   online- based   interventions   to support   MSM’s mental   health during   the COVID-19   pandemic,   emphasizing   the benefits of   enhanced peer   support and   psychotherapy.   These online   methods   offered both   convenience   and compliance   with China’s   epidemic   prevention   guidelines.




                 Mental health issues  The pandemic has   exacerbated mental   health issues among   MSM, with a notably   higher prevalence of   depression symptoms   compared to the   general population   and pre- pandemic   levels. The study   confirmed this trend   to be consistent   globally. Addressing   these mental health   challenges was   deemed crucial for   improving the well-   being of MSM during   the pandemic.








                 Sexual behaviors   and drug usage  The COVID-19   lockdowns had a   detrimental effect   on the mental   well- being of MSM,   leading to long-   term depression   symptoms and   riskier lifestyles.   These included   sexual behaviors and   reduced adherence   to preventative   measures like   PrEP. However,   the study didn’t   specifically focus   on how pandemic   restrictions directly   affected MSM’s   sexual behaviors.








                 Trends  N/A




                 Samples  1,394 MSM   aged 18 or   older




                 Design  Cross-   sectional   study


             Table 2. (Continued)  Country  Sources  People’s   Dai et al.   Republic of   (2023)  China











            Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024)                        28                        https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2599
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