Prevalence and correlates of sexting and cybersex use among adults before and during COVID-19 social distancing measures in panama

ABSTRACT

Background Lockdown and other COVID-19 social distancing measures (COVID-19-measures) may influence virtual sexbehaviour due to increased screen time and decreased in-person sexual activity. This analysis describes the prevalence and factors associated with virtual sex before and during COVID- 19 measures in Panama. Methods An online survey conducted among ≥18 years individuals residing in Panama using social media recruitment, from August 8-September 12, 2020, at the end of strict lockdown measures. Questions included demographics, virtual sex (sexting [sharing/receiving nude/semi-nude photos/video] and cybersex [sexual acts in front of a camera] three months before and during COVID-19-measures. Logistic regression was used to identify associations with increased use of virtual sex. Results Overall, 960 individuals participated;526 (54.8%) identified as cis-women, 366 (31.1%) as cis-men, and 68 (7.1%) as non-binary/another gender;median age was 28y (IQR23-37y). Before COVID-19-measures, 44.1% (369/837) reported sexting, 20.4% (172/842) cybersex, 46.4% (392/485) virtual sex. During COVID-19-measures, sexting, cybersex and virtual sex increased for 17.4%(139/797), 9.4%(74/790), and 19.9%(159/800) of participants, respectively. More cis-men reported virtual sex increase than cis-women (25.7% vs 17.2% [rural/urban adjusted]AOR=1.69, 95%CI1.18-2.43). Bisexual (38.7% [gender and urban/rural adjusted]AOR=2.08, 95% CI1.09-3.95) and lesbian/gay participants (42.4%,AOR=2.64, 95%CI1.47-4.73) reported virtual sex increase more frequently compared to heterosexual participants (16.1%). Increase in casual sex was associated with increase in virtual sex (45.0% vs less casual sex 25.3%, AOR=4.06, 95% CI1.24-13.35). Increased pornography use was associated with increased virtual sex (52.0% vs 7.8% decreased pornography, AOR=5.68, 95%CI2.40-13.44). Among participants with a long-term partner, virtual sex increased among those who reported more partnership conflicts during than before COVID-19-measures (27.8% vs 12.8% among those who reported fewer conflicts, AOR=2.88, 95%CI1.45-5.72). Conclusions Virtual sex was common before COVID-19-measures in Panama. During COVID-19-measures, virtual sex increased among cis-men, lesbian/gay and bisexual participants. Virtual sex was associated with increased pornography use, casual sex, and increased conflicts with long-term partners.