Dataset Information

Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study.

ABSTRACT: This mixed-methods study aimed to explore mental well-being, circumstances and strategies around managing sexual intimacy and risk during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown (Spring 2020) among men and gender diverse people who have sex with men (MGDPSM), commencing while lockdown was in progress. n = 1429 MGDPSM completed the survey and 14 undertook an in-depth interview. Low mental well-being was reported by 49.6% of the survey participants. Low mental well-being was not predicted by relationship and living circumstance, sexual networking app use, or by casual sexual partners. Low mental well-being was associated with more frequent COVID-19 anxiety (OR = 5.08 CI: 3.74, 6.88 p < 0.001) and with younger age (18-24 years OR = 2.23 CI:1.41-3.53 p = 0.001, 25-34 years OR = 1.45 CI:1.04-2.02 p = 0.029, 35-44 years OR = 1.41 CI:1.00-1.99 p = 0.052). The interview participants understood their lockdown experiences as being relative to normalcy, and those experiencing more dramatic changes faced greater challenges. Living with partners was felt to protect well-being. Many participants reported intimacy interruption challenges. The findings indicate that mental well-being is predicted by age and COVID-19 impact, highlighting opportunities for targeting MGDPSM who are most vulnerable to poor mental health. Services that support MGDPSM during COVID-19 recovery efforts must provide non-judgemental and affirming support.

SUBMITTER: Edelman NL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9222884 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Edelman Natalie L NL Witzel T Charles TC Samba Phil P Nutland Will W Nadarzynski Tom T

International journal of environmental research and public health 20220607 12

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore mental well-being, circumstances and strategies around managing sexual intimacy and risk during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown (Spring 2020) among men and gender diverse people who have sex with men (MGDPSM), commencing while lockdown was in progress. n = 1429 MGDPSM completed the survey and 14 undertook an in-depth interview. Low mental well-being was reported by 49.6% of the survey participants. Low mental well-being was not predicted by relationship a ...[more]

PMID: 35742234

Similar Datasets

Project description:The global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in strict social distancing measures restricting close physical contact. Men (cis and trans) and other gender diverse people who have sex with men (MGDSM) are at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and may have experienced changes in sexual behavior during government restrictions on social and sexual contact. We aimed to examine self-reported sexual behavior of MGDSM during the first UK-wide lockdown to identify the characteristics of the individuals who might most require sexual health promotion and clinical support. In April-May 2020, we conducted an online survey of MGDSM, promoted on social media and Grindr. Our exploratory approach used descriptive analysis to identify self-reported changes in sexual behavior and performed regression analyses to identify correlates of casual sex during the lockdown. A total of 1429 respondents completed the survey: mean age 36 years, 84% White, 97% male or trans male, 98% assigned male sex at birth, 2% female or non-binary, 65% degree educated or higher. During the lockdown, 76% reported not having any casual sex partners. While the majority reported reduced casual sex, 3% reported an increase in casual sex with one person and 2% with three or more people (group sex). About 12% of the sample engaged in casual sex with only one person and 5% with four or more sexual partners during the lockdown. Reporting casual sex during lockdown was associated with: lower level of education OR = 2.37 [95% CI 1.40-4.01]; identifying as a member of an ethnic minority OR = 2.27[1.40-3.53]; daily usage of sexual networking apps OR = 2.24[1.54-3.25]; being less anxious about contracting SARS-CoV-2 through sex OR = 1.66[1.12-2.44]; using PrEP before lockdown OR = 1.75[1.20-2.56]; continuing to use PrEP OR = 2.79[1.76-4.57]; and testing for STIs during lockdown OR = 2.65[1.76-3.99]. A quarter of respondents remained sexually active with casual partners, indicating a need to provide STI screening services and health promotion targeted to groups most likely to have need over this period. Future research is required to better understand how to support sexual and gender minorities to manage sexual risk in the context of pandemic public health initiatives.

Project description:ImportanceFew studies have explored the association between sexual and gender minority (SGM) status and occupational well-being among health care workers.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of burnout, professional fulfillment, intent to leave, anxiety, and depression by self-reported SGM status.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional survey study collected data from October 2019 to July 2021, from 8 academic medical institutions participating in the Healthcare Professional Well-Being Academic Consortium. The survey, including questions on SGM status, was administered to attending physicians and trainees. Statistical analyses were performed from June 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024.ExposureSGM status was determined via self-reported sexual orientation and gender identity.Main outcomes and measuresPrimary outcomes measured were the Professional Fulfillment Index (burnout and professional fulfillment), intent to leave, and self-reported anxiety and depression using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System short-form 4-item measure.ResultsOf 20 541 attendings and 6900 trainees, 8376 attendings and 2564 trainees responded and provided SGM status. Of these respondents, 386 attendings (4.6%) and 212 trainees (8.3%) identified as SGM. Compared with their non-SGM peers, SGM attendings had a lower prevalence of professional fulfillment (133 of 386 [34.5%] vs 3200 of 7922 [40.4%]) and a higher prevalence of burnout (181 of 382 [47.4%] vs 2791 of 7883 [35.4%]) and intent to leave (125 of 376 [33.2%] vs 2433 of 7873 [30.9%]) (all P < .001). Compared with their non-SGM peers, SGM trainees had a lower prevalence of professional fulfillment (63 of 211 [29.9%] vs 833 of 2333 [35.7%]) and a higher prevalence of burnout (108 of 211 [51.2%] vs 954 of 2332 [40.9%]) (both P < .001). After adjusting for age and race and ethnicity, SGM attendings had higher odds of burnout than their non-SGM peers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.27-1.94]; P < .001). Results for burnout were similar among the SGM trainees compared with their non-SGM peers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.47 [1.10-1.96]; P = .01).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional survey study of academic physicians and trainees, SGM attendings and trainees had higher levels of burnout and lower levels of professional fulfillment. SGM attendings had greater intent to leave than their non-SGM peers, but trainees did not. These disparities represent an opportunity for further exploration to retain SGM health care workers.

Project description:BackgroundSexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COPD on patient's sexuality and the explanatory variables of sexual dissatisfaction.MethodsQuestionnaires were emailed to participants and they submitted their responses on the Santé Respiratoire France website. Data about sexual well-being (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, ASEX), Quality of life (VQ11), anxiety, depression (Hospitalized anxiety and depression, HAD) and self-declared COPD grade were collected.ResultsSeven hundred and fifty one subjects were included and were characterized as follows: women-51%, mean age-61 years, in a couple-62% and 70%-retired. Every grade of COPD was represented. Out of 751 participants, 301 participants (40%) had no sexual activity and 450 (60%) had sexual activity. From the 450 participants, 60% needed to change their sexual life because of their disease (rhythm, frequency and position). Subjects often used medications to improve sexual performance (43% used short-acting bronchodilator and 13% -specific erectile dysfunction drugs). ASEX questionnaire confirmed patients' dissatisfaction (diminution of sexual appetite for 68% and sexual desire for 60%) because of breathlessness and fatigue. Eighty one percent of the responders had an altered quality of life (VQ11 mean score 35) and frequent suspected anxiety or depression (HAD mean score 10.8). Ninety percent declared that sexual dysfunction had never been discussed by their doctors, while 36% of patients would have preferred to undergo a specialized consultation.ConclusionSexual dysfunction is frequent among COPD patients and leads to an altered well-being, however being a cultural taboo, it remains frequently neglected. Sexual guidance should be a part of patient's consultations improve quality of sexual life.

Dataset Information

Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Publications

Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets