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Home / Publications / Factors associated with chemsex in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic

Factors associated with chemsex in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Authors: Chone JS, Lima SVMA, Pimentel V, Fronteira I, Mendes IAC, Shaaban AN, Martins MDRO, Sousa AFL
  • Publication Year: 2021
  • Journal: Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 29, e3474
  • Link: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4975.3474

ABSTRACT

‘Objective:’

to investigate the factors associated with the practice of sex under the influence of drugs (chemsex) among Portuguese men who have sex with men during the period of social distancing to prevent the COVID-19.

‘Method:’

online survey applied in May 2020 to a sample of 1,301 participants living in Portugal, recruited according to Respondent Driven Sampling and via social media Facebook®. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed along with logistic regression to calculate adjusted Odds Ratio (ORa).

‘Results:’

the prevalence of chemsex was 20.2%. The likelihood of practising chemsex increased with group sex (ORa: 28.4, 95%CI 16.93–47.49); unprotected sex (ORa: 7.1 95%CI 4.57–10.99); the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent COVID-19 (ORa: 4.2, 95%CI 2.71–6.39) and COVID-19 testing (ORa: 1.9, 95%CI  .15–3.10).

‘Conclusion:’

the practice of chemsex among men who have sex with men during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal was very frequent and may support greater understanding of the role and impact of sexual behaviour on the COVID-19 transmission rates and the current pandemic situation in Portugal.

 

KEYWORDS

Sexual and gender minorities; coronavirus infections; public health nursing; pandemics; sexual behavior; illicit drugs.

 

Reference (AMA 11 style)

Chone, JS, Lima, SVMA, Pimentel, V, et al. Factors associated with chemsex in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem. 2021; 29:e3474. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4975.3474

Reference (APA 7 style)

Chone, J. S., Lima, S. V. M. A., Pimentel, V., Fronteira, I., Mendes, I. A. C., Shaaban, A. N., Martins, M. d. R. O., Sousa, A. F. L. (2021). Factors associated with chemsex in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 29, e3474. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4975.3474

 

Journal

Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem

 

GHTM’s in-depth article.

 

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About GHTM

GHTM is a R&D Unit that brings together researchers with a track record in Tropical Medicine and International & Global Health. It aims at strengthening Portugal's role as a leading partner in the development and implementation of a global health research agenda. Our evidence-based interventions contribute to the promotion of equity in health and to improve the health of populations.

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Funding

UID/04413/2025 - DOI: 10.54499/UID/04413/2025

UID/PRR/04413/2025 - DOI: 10.54499/UID/PRR/04413/2025

UID/PRR2/04413/2025 - DOI: 10.54499/UID/PRR2/04413/2025

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