Chemsex, sexual behaviour and STI-PrEP use among HIV-PrEP users during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brighton, UK

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions have been associated with changes in use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP), use of doxycycline as STI-PrEP and sexual behaviour including chemsex behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM).1 2 As part of a local service needs assessment for the provision of services for MSM using PrEP and MSM engaging in chemsex, we asked MSM to complete a short anonymous online electronic survey after their PrEP monitoring appointment. Of the 269 MSM who attended for HIV-PrEP monitoring between May and June 2021, 109 (41%) completed the survey: 105 cis-men and 4 transgender individuals. Thirty-four (31%) reported using recreational drugs in the previous 3 months, of whom 18 (17%) used drugs for sex (chemsex) and 12 (11%) as part of group sex; and 2 (2%) reported injecting drug use. All 18 were polydrug users: 9 used crystal...

Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Ringshall, M., Cooper, R., Rawdah, W., Perera, S., Bannister, A., Nichols, K., Fitzpatrick, C., Richardson, D. Tags: COVID-19 Research letter Source Type: research