Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on the HIV epidemic among MSM in Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Government-imposed physical distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted biobehavioral HIV prevention practices and access to healthcare services. This study aimed to use a mathematical model to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the HIV epidemic among MSM in Australia, using empirical data.

Design

A retrospective modeling study.

Methods

We developed a mathematical model to estimate monthly HIV incidence between January 2020 and August 2022. We obtained aggregated monthly data for sexual partners, condom use, HIV testing, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, and migration. Three scenarios were simulated: a COVID-19 scenario; a no COVID-19 scenario where input parameters remained at pre-COVID-19 values; and a no COVID-19 scenario with continu

SUBMITTER: Weng R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12629114 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature