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Hensel DJ, Mark KP, Abdelhamed A, Burns S, Esho T, Hendriks J, Jobim Fischer V, Ivanova O, Marks M, Michelsen K, Nimby F, Strizzi J, Tucker J, Uhlich M, Erausquin JT. Changes in Solo and Partnered Sexual Behaviors following the First COVID-19 Wave: Data from an International Study of 26 Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2023; 35:459-480. [PMID: 38601728 PMCID: PMC10903556 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2224777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Objective To determine individual- and country-level factors associated with self-reported changes in solo and partnered sexual behaviors in an international sample of adults during COVID-19. Methods Data were from the International Sexual Health And REproductive Health during COVID-19 study (I-SHARE)-a cross-sectional, multi-country study (N = 26 countries) assessing adult (N = 19,654) sexual/reproductive health before and during the first wave of COVID-19. We examined self-reported changes (three-point scale: decreased, no change, increased) in solo masturbation, hugging/holding hands/cuddling with a partner, sex with a primary partner, sex with a casual partner, sexting with a partner, viewing sexually explicit media and partnered cybersex. Ordinal regression assessed the impact of individual (age, gender- and sexual-identity, romantic partnership status, employment and income stability, household change and content, mental well-being, changes in alcohol use, and changes in marijuana use) and country-level (e.g., Oxford Stringency Index, Human Development Index, and the Palma Ratio) factors on behavior change. Results The most common behavior to increase was hugging, kissing, or cuddling with a partner (21.5%), and the most common behavior to decrease was sex with a main partner (36.7%). Household factors like job/income instability and having children over the age of 12 years were significantly associated with decreased affectionate and sexual partnered sexual behaviors; more frequent substance use was linked to significantly increased solo, partnered, and virtual sexual behaviors. Conclusions Understanding changes in sexual behaviors-as well as the factors that make changes more or less likely among adults around the world-are important to ensure adequate sexual health support development for future public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon J. Hensel
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Sociology, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kristen P. Mark
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amr Abdelhamed
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Sharyn Burns
- Discipline of Health Promotion & Sexology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Jacqueline Hendriks
- Discipline of Health Promotion & Sexology, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Vinicius Jobim Fischer
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Olena Ivanova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Marks
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kristien Michelsen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fillipo Nimby
- Foundation for Professional Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Jenna Strizzi
- Centre for Medical Science and Technology Studies, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joe Tucker
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Campbell L, Tan RKJ, Uhlich M, Francis JM, Mark K, Miall N, Eleuteri S, Gabster A, Shamu S, Plášilová L, Kemigisha E, Olumide A, Kosana P, Hurtado-Murillo F, Larsson EC, Cleeve A, Calvo González S, Perrotta G, Fernández Albamonte V, Blanco L, Schröder J, Adebayo A, Hendriks J, Saltis H, Marks M, Wu D, Morroni C, Esho T, Briken P, Hlatshwako TG, Ryan R, Farid NDN, Gomez Bravo R, Van de Velde S, Tucker JD. Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19 Restrictions: A Study of 30 Countries From the I-SHARE Consortium. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:7115-7142. [PMID: 36703528 PMCID: PMC9895276 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221141865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) causes substantial physical and psychological trauma. Restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and movement restrictions, may exacerbate IPV risk and reduce access to IPV support services. This cross-sectional study examines IPV during COVID-19 restrictions in 30 countries from the International Sexual HeAlth and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) study conducted from July 20th, 2020, to February, 15th, 2021. IPV was a primary outcome measure adapted from a World Health Organization multicountry survey. Mixed-effects modeling was used to determine IPV correlates among participants stratified by cohabitation status. The sample included 23,067 participants from 30 countries. A total of 1,070/15,336 (7.0%) participants stated that they experienced IPV during COVID-19 restrictions. A total of 1,486/15,336 (9.2%) participants stated that they had experienced either physical or sexual partner violence before the restrictions, which then decreased to 1,070 (7.0%) after the restrictions. In general, identifying as a sexual minority and experiencing greater economic vulnerability were associated with higher odds of experiencing IPV during COVID-19 restrictions, which were accentuated among participants who were living with their partners. Greater stringency of COVID-19 restrictions and living in urban or semi-urban areas were associated with lower odds of experiencing IPV in some settings. The I-SHARE data suggest a substantial burden of IPV during COVID-19 restrictions. However, the restrictions were correlated with reduced IPV in some settings. There is a need for investing in specific support systems for survivors of IPV during the implementation of restrictions designed to contain infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Campbell
- Center for Population, Family, and
Health, University of Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary
Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rayner K. J. Tan
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern
Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina Project,
Guangzhou, China
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health,
National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Joel M. Francis
- Department of Family Medicine and
Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kristen Mark
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health,
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Naomi Miall
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
| | - Stefano Eleuteri
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology,
Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Amanda Gabster
- Department of Genomics and
Proteomics, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- National Research System, National
Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, Panama City, Panama
- Center of Population Sciences for
Health Equity, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Simukai Shamu
- Health Systems Strengthening
Division, Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Leona Plášilová
- Department of Psychology and Life
Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Sexology
and Psychopathology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech
Republic
| | | | - Adesola Olumide
- Institute of Child Health, College of
Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan,
Nigeria
| | - Priya Kosana
- Institute of Global Health and
Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,
USA
| | - Felipe Hurtado-Murillo
- Center for Sexual and Reproductive
Health, University Hospital Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elin C. Larsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of
Global Health and Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm,
Sweden
| | - Amanda Cleeve
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of
Global Health and Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm,
Sweden
- South General Hospital, Stockholm,
Sweden
| | | | - Gabriela Perrotta
- Faculty of Psychology, University of
Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Lucía Blanco
- Faculty of Psychology, University of
Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Johanna Schröder
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual
Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,
Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jacqueline Hendriks
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research
and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia
| | - Hanna Saltis
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research
and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases,
University College London Hospital, London, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity,
University College London, London, UK
| | - Dan Wu
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
| | - Chelsea Morroni
- Centre for Reproductive Health,
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive
Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone,
Botswana
| | | | - Peer Briken
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual
Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,
Hamburg, Germany
| | - Takhona Grace Hlatshwako
- Institute of Global Health and
Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,
USA
| | - Rebecca Ryan
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive
Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone,
Botswana
| | - Nik Daliana Nik Farid
- Department of Social and Preventive
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Raquel Gomez Bravo
- Institute for Health and Behaviour,
Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg,
Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Sarah Van de Velde
- Center for Population, Family, and
Health, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
- Institute of Global Health and
Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,
USA
- Joseph D. Tucker, Institute of Global
Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Bioinformatics, 130 Mason Farm Road, 2nd Floor, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Zhang JY, Jabs F, Brown NB, Milani S, Brotto LA. The Impact of Loosening COVID-19 Restrictions and Live-in Partner Status on Sexual and Mental Health in a Canadian Sample. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2023; 35:139-151. [PMID: 38596767 PMCID: PMC10903576 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2022.2163446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Objectives We examined changes in frequency of sexual behaviors, dyadic sexual desire, relationship satisfaction, and COVID-19 stress in Canadians across the pandemic, considering partner status. Methods Participants completed online questionnaires. Results Participants with live-in partners and single participants decreased in dyadic sexual behaviors. In August-September 2020, participants with live-in partners engaged in more dyadic sexual behaviors than single participants. In November 2021, all partnered participants engaged in more dyadic sexual behaviors than single participants. Decreases in COVID-19 stress were observed. Conclusions Findings suggest that despite decreases in COVID-19 stress, there may be long-lasting pandemic impacts on sexual behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Faith Jabs
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Natalie B. Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sonia Milani
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lori A. Brotto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Toldam NE, Graugaard C, Meyer R, Thomsen L, Dreier S, Jannini EA, Giraldi A. Sexual Health During COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Sex Med Rev 2022; 10:714-753. [PMID: 37051956 PMCID: PMC9242892 DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic impacted profoundly on the wellbeing and social interactions of the world population, and all dimensions of sexual health were potentially affected by globally implemented preventive measures. OBJECTIVES The scoping review aimed to compile existing research investigating possible effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on adult sexual health, that is, sexual behavior, functioning, and satisfaction. Further, studies on the interplay between mental health and sexual well-being during the pandemic were reviewed. METHODS The review was conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist. On October 11-12, 2021, PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Cochrane, Sociological Abstracts and Scopus were systematically searched for relevant peer-reviewed papers employing quantitative methodology. Additionally, unpublished ("grey") research studies on the subject were retrieved. The screening, data extraction, and analysis of evidence were conducted by 4 independent reviewers using an iterative approach. RESULTS Based on 107 studies included, the scoping review showed that the pandemic had had a wide impact on all dimensions of sexual health. Except for solo sex activities, mainly negative COVID-19 implications were identified, although findings were, in sum, characterized by complexity and unpredictability. Thus, sexual behavior, functioning, and satisfaction during the pandemic appeared to be mitigated by a broad range of sociodemographic and contextual factors. Finally, sexual health seemed deeply entwined with overall mental health. CONCLUSION The scoping review revealed a broad range of COVID-19-related effects on sexual health, including an overall decline in partnered sex and a concurrent increase in solo sex activities. It also emphasized a need for future research to shed light on possible long-term consequences of the pandemic in various population groups and on all aspects of sexual health. Toldam NE, Graugaard C, Meyer R, et al. Sexual Health During COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:714-753.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Ernst Toldam
- Center for Sexology Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark,Sexological Clinic, Mental Health Center, Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Graugaard
- Center for Sexology Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Rikke Meyer
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Annamaria Giraldi
- Sexological Clinic, Mental Health Center, Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,Corresponding Author: Annamaria Giraldi, MD, PhD, FECSM, IF, Sexological Clinic, Mental Health Center, Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Ole Maaloesvej 14, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: + 45 38 64 71 69
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Is There a Direct Link between Sexual Satisfaction and Restrictions during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137769. [PMID: 35805440 PMCID: PMC9265595 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Research suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions decreased sexual function and satisfaction. The present study examines the direct relationship between sexual satisfaction and restrictions during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Poland between 3 September 2020 and 18 January 2021. A convenience sample of 1364 adults, aged 18–67 (M = 25.13, SD = 6.45), among whom 62.39% were women, and 23.17% were single, completed anonymous web-based survey. The Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ) and Stringency Index (IS) were used to assess sexual satisfaction and the level of restrictions during the pandemic, respectively. Results: No direct association was found between sexual satisfaction and the level of restrictions during the lockdown. Sexual satisfaction was significantly worse among single participants than those living in a couple. No gender differences were found in sexual satisfaction. Conclusions: Future studies should examine an indirect association between sexual satisfaction and restrictions during the pandemic via stress and anxiety. Single relationship status should be considered a risk factor for sexual satisfaction, so single individuals should be a target group for prevention programs during the pandemic.
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Gil-Salmerón A, López-Sánchez GF, López-Bueno R, Pardhan S, Grabovac I, Smith L. Association between Anxious and Depressive Symptomatology and Sexual Activity in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Quarantine. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010147. [PMID: 35010405 PMCID: PMC8751132 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence on sexual behaviour and COVID-19 shows a change in sexual habits; however, there is no research on the association between mental health and sexual activity. AIM To examine the relationship between mental health and sexual activity during the quarantine in Spanish adults. METHODS A sample of 305 adults filled out an online questionnaire. Sexual activity was assessed with one question. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. To check associations between levels of both anxiety and depressive symptoms (exposure) and weekly prevalence of sexual activity (outcome), we conducted multiple logistic regression adjusted for control variables (marital status, employment, average household annual income, place of living, pre-COVID-19 sexual activity, current smoking, current alcohol consumption, chronic physical conditions, chronic psychiatric conditions, physical symptoms, and days of confinement). RESULTS Higher depression level was associated with lower weekly sexual activity in a dose-response fashion in the three implemented models. Participants with higher levels of depression were associated with significantly lower sexual activity in the fully adjusted model (OR: 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.61). Mild anxiety-level participants consistently presented significantly lower ORs for lower sexual activity than their minimal-anxiety category counterparts. Particularly, the fully adjusted model showed the lower values (OR: 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.84). CONCLUSION The results of this study support existing evidence stressing the association between mental health and sexual activity in quarantined adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gil-Salmerón
- International Foundation for Integrated Care, Oxford OX2 6UD, UK
- Correspondence: (A.G.-S.); (G.F.L.-S.); (R.L.-B.)
| | - Guillermo F. López-Sánchez
- Vision and Eye Research Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Cambridge Campus, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
- Correspondence: (A.G.-S.); (G.F.L.-S.); (R.L.-B.)
| | - Rubén López-Bueno
- Department of Physical Medicine and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.G.-S.); (G.F.L.-S.); (R.L.-B.)
| | - Shahina Pardhan
- Vision and Eye Research Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Cambridge Campus, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
| | - Igor Grabovac
- Centre for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
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