LOW PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN (MSM) DURING THE SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDERS TO PREVENT THE COVID-19 SPREAD: RESULTS FROM A NATIONWIDE STUDY

  1. Emerson Lucas Silva Camargo
  2. Bruna Isabela Adolpho de Oliveira
  3. Igor Fessina Siffoni
  4. Anderson Reis de Sousa
  5. Jules Ramon Brito Teixeira
  6. Isabel Amélia Costa Mendes
  7. Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa
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Abstract

Introduction

Little is known about how sheltering in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 over extended periods affects individuals’ psychological well-being. This study’s objective was to analyze the factors associated with MSM’s low psychological well-being in the COVID-19 pandemic context.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted online in the entire Brazilian territory (26 states and federal district) in April and May 2020. The participants were recruited using an adapted version of Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS). Data were collected using social media and MSM dating apps. We estimated the prevalence, crude prevalence ratio (PR), and respective confidence intervals (CI95%).

Results

Only 44.4% of the sample presented high levels of well-being. Low psychological well-being appeared associated with the youngest age group (PR: 2.76; CI95%: 1.90-4.01), polyamorous relationships (PR: 2.78; CI95%: 1.51-5.11), not complying with social isolation measures (PR: 6.27; CI95%: 4.42-8.87), not using the social media to find partners (PR: 1.63; CI95%: 1.06-2.53), having multiple sexual partners (PR: 1.80; CI95%: 1.04-3.11), having reduced the number of partners (PR: 2.67; CI95%: 1.44-4.95), and group sex (PR: 1.82; CI95%: 1.23-2.69)

Conclusion

The well-being of MSM living in Brazil was negatively affected during the social distancing measures intended to control the spread of COVID-19.

Policy Implications

Planning and implementing public policies and actions to promote psychological well-being are needed to improve MSM’s resilience through the adoption of safe strategies and behavior.

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