Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing and condom use among two-spirit, gay, bisexual, and queer (2SGBQ+) men in Manitoba

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 1306 - 1313
• Main Authors: Souleymanov, Rusty, Amjad, Sana, McLeod, Albert, Payne, Michael, Ringaert, Laurie, Larcombe, Linda, Restall, Gayle, Brennan, David J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 02.09.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: 2sgbq + men; Access; Bisexuality; condom use; Condoms; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demographics; HIV; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Testing; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Male; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Manitoba - epidemiology; Medical tests; Men; Pandemics; Questions; Remote areas; Remote regions; Rural areas; Rural communities; service disruptions; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual Behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sociodemographics; STD; Tests; Two-Spirit; Manitoba; Canada; Manitoba Canada; COVID-19; HIV testing; condom use; service disruptions; 2sgbq + men
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2208324

This cross-sectional online survey (n = 347) examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing and condom use among Two-Spirit, gay, bisexual, and queer (2SGBQ+) men in Manitoba. Logistic regression assessed the relationship between socio-demographics and the impact of COVID-19 on access to HIV testing and condom use. Among those who answered a question on testing (n = 282), 27.7% reported reduced access to HIV testing. Among those who answered questions on condom use (n = 327), 54.4% reported decreased use of condoms. Compared to living in Winnipeg, living in a medium-sized city (Brandon) and in rural and remote areas were both associated with higher odds of reporting reduced access to HIV testing due to COVID-19. Participants who were dating (vs. married or partnered) were significantly more likely to report reduced access to HIV testing, but less likely to report decreased use of condoms, while younger age was associated with decreased use of condoms. Service providers must be prepared to respond to the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing and condom use among younger, sexually active 2SGBQ + men, as well as those who live in small, rural, and remote areas in Manitoba.