Page 41 - IJPS-10-4

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

3.6. Digital health technologies and chemsex pandemic. By facilitating remote consultations, telehealth
practices among men who had sex with men during platforms remove the necessity for in-person visits,
the COVID-19 pandemic allowing individuals to receive comprehensive guidance
The COVID-19 pandemic posed several challenges in on PrEP usage, monitoring, and managing side effects
providing traditional health services. With the need to from home. This approach ensures uninterrupted access to
contain the spread of the virus, in-person consultations, PrEP, with health-care providers able to assess needs, issue
therapy sessions, and harm reduction programs were prescription refills, and conduct follow-up consultations
severely disrupted or unavailable (de la Court et al., virtually, thereby maintaining continuity of care.
2023). These challenges made it difficult for vulnerable While digital platforms offered significant advantages
populations, especially MSM involved in chemsex, to in health-care delivery, they also posed potential risks.
access health-care services, worsening existing health A recent study by Chone et al. (2021) explored the
disparities. Chemsex is already linked to health risks, and inadvertent encouragement of unsafe sexual practices
the pandemic exacerbated these issues. Digital health through digital platforms, mainly dating apps. These
technologies and telemedicine emerged as critical solutions practices include engaging in group sex, unprotected sex,
to address these issues. not using PrEP, and not getting tested for COVID-19
In response to the amplified inequalities and ongoing among MSM engaging in chemsex. The availability and
health-care needs brought on by the pandemic, studies accessibility of dating apps may have facilitated more
by Card et al. (2021) and Sousa et al. (2020) discuss the accessible connections between individuals interested
pivotal role of digital health technologies and telemedicine in chemsex, potentially increasing the prevalence of
in addressing this need. By leveraging digital platforms, this practice. The anonymity and convenience of digital
health-care providers can offer personalized counseling platforms may have reduced inhibitions and led to
sessions through video calls or chat. This modality ensures more impulsive decision-making regarding engaging in
that MSM individuals receive timely psychological support chemsex.
and guidance, specifically addressing the challenges they The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care,
face, including those related to chemsex practices. Creating significantly affecting MSM engaging in chemsex. Digital
virtual support groups through these technologies offers a health technologies emerged as essential, providing
sense of community and belonging. MSM individuals can services such as counseling and PrEP access remotely.
share experiences, gain insights from peers, and receive These solutions addressed specific needs and ensured
professional advice in a supportive and understanding care continuity during social distancing. However, digital
environment, which is especially crucial during isolation. platforms also risked encouraging unsafe sexual practices.
Digital health platforms facilitate a broad spectrum of Future efforts must focus on improving digital health
health-care services remotely, including consultations and services to be both accessible and inclusive, carefully
follow-ups, and provide access to a wealth of resources such balancing the needs and potential risks of this population.
as harm reduction interventions, health-care information,
and ways to navigate health systems effectively. 3.7. Health-care interventions for addressing
Recent studies offer further insights and chemsex practices among men who had sex with
recommendations for enhancing digital health solutions. men during the pandemic
Dai et al. (2023) proposed the integration of digital Health-care professionals play a crucial role in addressing
solutions with peer support and tailored psychotherapy sexual behavior and substance use issues in the MSM
to combat the high incidence of depressive symptoms community. Their responsibility extends beyond treating
among MSM exacerbated by the pandemic. Echoing the conditions that arise from these behaviors; they are also
importance of tailored digital health solutions, Maviglia tasked with educating and counseling MSM to ensure their
et al. (2023) underlined the benefits of developing health and safety during the challenging times brought
technologies designed explicitly for substance-using MSM. about by COVID-19. Cultural competency and sensitivity
These technologies can include mobile applications or training for health-care providers is vital in managing
online platforms that provide information, resources, and chemsex practices among MSM and transgender/non-
support for substance use and sexual health among MSM. binary individuals during the pandemic. As emphasized

In addition, a study by de la Court et al. (2023) by Sanchez et al. (2020) and Shilo & Mor (2020), such
demonstrated how telehealth consultations in Amsterdam, training, including workshops on LGBTQ+ health issues
the Netherlands, have preserved access to essential sexual and sensitivity sessions, is critical. These programs are
health services, including PrEP for MSM, during the designed to educate health-care providers on the unique

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 35 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2599