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Relationship Between Sexual Behaviors with Non-committed Relationship Partners and COVID-19 Restrictions and Notification Rates: Results from a Longitudinal Study of Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia.
- Source :
- Sexuality Research & Social Policy: Journal of NSRC; Jun2023, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p825-836, 12p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Introduction: COVID-19 related lockdowns have impacted the sexual activity of gay and bisexual men (GBM). We investigated trends in sexual behaviors and the COVID-19 context in which they occurred (COVID-notification rates and jurisdictional restrictions) to understand changes in the duration and severity of periods of lockdown on the sexual behavior of Australian GBM. Methods: In an online, prospective observational study of 831 GBM from May 2020 to May 2021, we investigated associations between changes in sexual behavior among Australian GBM, lockdowns, and COVID-19 notification rates through weekly surveys from May 2020 to May 2021. Results: The mean age was 45.71 years (SD: 13.93). Most identified as gay (89.0%) and 10.2% were living with HIV. There was an overall increase in the mean weekly number of non-committed relationship partners (0.53–0.90, p < 0.001). The state of Victoria experienced a significant extended COVID-19 outbreak, accompanied by severe lockdown restrictions. In response, Victorian men's partner numbers shifted three times, while elsewhere there was an overall gradually increasing trend. Conclusions: Less severe outbreaks with shorter lockdown periods, involving fewer and geographically contained, COVID-19 notifications were accompanied by non-significant changes in sex with non-relationship partners than more severe outbreaks over extended periods and larger geographical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 18689884
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Sexuality Research & Social Policy: Journal of NSRC
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 163914224
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-022-00733-8