Page 39 - IJPS-10-4

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

closure of specialized clinics, intensifying the challenges down cultural barriers that prevent MSM from seeking
for this vulnerable demographic. these essential treatments.
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and social During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Netherlands
isolation measures, critical for public health safety, experienced a notable decline in health-care utilization
significantly disrupted health-care routines, particularly among the MSM community, attributed to lockdowns and
affecting MSM engaging in chemsex. These measures concerns about virus exposure. However, MSM taking
resulted in reduced access to medical facilities, crucial daily doses of PrEP exhibited consistent health-care access,
health check-ups, and prevention services, exacerbating underlining the importance of preventive measures in
health-care challenges for MSM, who depend on routine maintaining health routines (de la Court et al., 2023).
screenings and preventive medications. Countries such as The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role
Australia and the United Kingdom saw MSM’s access to of online health platforms in providing continuous care,
HIV-prevention medications and sexual health services consultations, and counseling, offering anonymity and
significantly impacted, underscoring the urgent need reducing stigma for MSM seeking support. Dai et al. (2023)
for adaptive health-care strategies (Murphy et al., 2022; emphasized the effectiveness of these digital services in
Hyndman et al., 2021). Reyniers (2021) highlighted addressing health-care barriers and promoting inclusivity,
the global necessity for public health interventions to particularly in mitigating depression symptoms among
specifically address substance misuse and mental health HIV-negative or unknown-HIV-status MSM in China
issues within this community, acknowledging the complex through peer support and specialized psychotherapy.
interplay of societal, psychological, and cultural factors in This shift toward digital health care has emerged as a vital
effective health-care provision. strategy in ensuring health care access for MSM engaged in
Societal perspectives, deeply influenced by cultural, chemsex, navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic
religious, and traditional beliefs, significantly impact and societal prejudices.
health-care access for various communities, particularly Telehealth is a vital solution for MSM engaging
for MSM engaging in chemsex. This demographic faces in chemsex, providing online services that overcome
unique challenge, as evidenced in countries such as societal stigmatization. Telehealth offers convenience,
Malaysia and Mexico, where societal attitudes profoundly efficiency, and safety, facilitating access to essential health-
affect their health and well-being. In Malaysia, traditional care services such as PrEP consultations without fear of
and religious norms lead to intensified scrutiny of the judgment. Telehealth became especially important during
MSM community, making chemsex a clandestine activity. the COVID-19 pandemic when physical health-care
Maviglia et al. (2023) reveal that in Malaysia, the stigma access was limited. De la Court et al. (2023) highlighted
surrounding drug use and same-sex relationships not how telehealth ensured continuity of care for the MSM
only marginalize MSM but also criminalize their actions, community in Amsterdam, advocating for expanding
leading to discrimination within health-care settings. online health-care provision as a versatile solution
This discrimination hinders MSM’s access to essential during crises. This scenario underscores the importance
health services, as they fear prejudice from health-care of developing tailored interventions and strategies that
providers. address the specific challenges and needs of MSM engaging
Similarly, in Mexico, stigmas associated with MSM and in chemsex, including substance use and mental health
chemsex persist, affecting MSM’s ability to access health- concerns.
care services (Gómez-Castro et al., 2022). Discrimination The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health-care
in both the public and health-care sectors creates barriers challenges for the MSM community, revealing disparities
to timely medical assistance for MSM. Countries such as in health-care access, the impact of lockdowns, substance
the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Malaysia offer insights misuse, societal stigmas, and legal obstacles. These issues
into addressing the tailored needs of this community.
are deeply intertwined with cultural, legal, and economic
In Brazil, efforts are concentrated on enhancing access factors, making equitable health-care access more complex
to vital medications such as PrEP and ART for MSM for this group. However, the rise of telehealth and other
involved in chemsex, addressing disparities influenced technological advancements present new avenues for
by financial, regional, and sociocultural barriers (Torres addressing these challenges. A comprehensive and tailored
et al., 2021). The aim is to streamline the availability of approach, emphasizing the understanding of MSM’s
these medications by overcoming the root causes that unique needs, peer support, specialized provider training,
restrict access, including the improvement of distribution and supportive policies, is crucial for overcoming these
networks and ensuring affordability, alongside breaking obstacles.

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 33 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2599