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STI TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC among URBAN SEXUAL MINORITIES
Topics in Antiviral Medicine ; 30(1 SUPPL):350-351, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1880844
ABSTRACT

Background:

The impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on STI transmission and racial disparities remains unknown. The objectives were to examine trends in sex and drug risk behaviors, access to sexual health services and STI positivity overall and by race during-compared to pre-pandemic among urban sexual minorities (MSM).

Methods:

Sexually-active MSM aged 18-45 years were administered a behavioral survey and STI testing at three-month intervals. Participants completing > one during-pandemic (April-December 2020) and one pre-pandemic study visit (before March 13, 2020) occurring < six months apart were included. Generalized estimating equations with modified Poisson regression models compared outcomes during-compared to pre-pandemic visits.

Results:

Among 231 MSM, reports of > three sex partners declined [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR) pandemic-1(p1) 0.68, 95% CI (0.54-0.86);pandemic-2(p2) 0.65 (0.51-0.84);pandemic-3(p3) 0.57 (0.43-0.75)];similar findings were observed among Black and non-Black MSM. Black, but not non-Black MSM, reported sustained decreases in substance use (aPR p1 0.90 (0.79-1.03);p2 0.74 (0.62-0.89);p3 0.82 (0.67-0.99)], and increased HIV/PrEP care engagement [aPR p1 1.20 (1.07-1.34);p2 1.24 (1.11-1.39);p3 1.30 (1.16-1.47)]. Reported STI testing (overall and by race) decreased [aPR p1 0.68 (0.57-0.81);p2 0.78 (0.67-0.92)], then rebounded [aPR p3 1.01 (0.87-1.18)]. Overall, neither chlamydia [aPR p2 1.62 (0.75-3.46);p3 1.13 (0.24-1.27)] nor gonorrhea [aPR p2 0.87 (0.46-1.62) p3 0.56 (0.24-1.27)] positivity significantly changed during vs. pre-pandemic.

Conclusion:

We observed sustained decreases in STI risk behaviors but minimal change in STI positivity during compared to pre-pandemic. Findings underscore the urgent need for novel strategies to deliver STI prevention services without in-person interactions among MSM.
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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Topics in Antiviral Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Topics in Antiviral Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article