Delays in sexual health care among patients attending New York City Sexual Health Clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, March 2020 to February 2021.
Journal
Sexually transmitted diseases
ISSN: 1537-4521
Titre abrégé: Sex Transm Dis
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 7705941
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
19 Apr 2024
19 Apr 2024
Historique:
medline:
22
4
2024
pubmed:
22
4
2024
entrez:
22
4
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Public health emergencies can lead to reduced or suspended services in sexual health clinics (SHCs), raising questions about optimal ways to maintain access to care. We examined changes in sexual behaviors, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, telehealth preference, and correlates of delayed sexual health care among patients attending New York City (NYC) publicly funded SHCs during the COVID-19 pandemic. 470 patients from four SHCs (July-September 2021) completed a self-administered survey that collected data on access to sexual health care, overall and over three distinct time periods [Spring 2020 (COVID-19 wave 1), Summer 2020, Fall 2020/Winter 2021 (COVID-19 wave 2)]. We used log-binomial models to examine factors associated with delayed sexual health care. Participants reporting multiple in-person sexual contacts increased from 28% to 57% (P < 0.0001) between the first and second wave. Almost half of participants (35/72) taking HIV PrEP cited decreased use. Over 90% (423/460) of participants preferred in-person clinic visits over telehealth. Overall, delays in routine and urgent sexual health care were reported by 34% (129/375) and 12% (46/373) of participants, respectively. More men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender/gender non-conforming/nonbinary (TGNCNB) individuals experienced delayed care compared with women [MSM: aPR 1.43 (95% CI, 1.00-2.03); TGNCNB: 1.67 (1.04-2.69)]. Compared with participants who primarily sought sexual health care from private providers, those who primarily used SHCs experienced significantly more delayed care [1.72 (1.14-2.59)]. Delays in sexual health care access can have serious implications for certain patient populations. Additional resources are needed to maintain access to sexual health clinic services.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Public health emergencies can lead to reduced or suspended services in sexual health clinics (SHCs), raising questions about optimal ways to maintain access to care. We examined changes in sexual behaviors, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, telehealth preference, and correlates of delayed sexual health care among patients attending New York City (NYC) publicly funded SHCs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
METHODS
470 patients from four SHCs (July-September 2021) completed a self-administered survey that collected data on access to sexual health care, overall and over three distinct time periods [Spring 2020 (COVID-19 wave 1), Summer 2020, Fall 2020/Winter 2021 (COVID-19 wave 2)]. We used log-binomial models to examine factors associated with delayed sexual health care.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Participants reporting multiple in-person sexual contacts increased from 28% to 57% (P < 0.0001) between the first and second wave. Almost half of participants (35/72) taking HIV PrEP cited decreased use. Over 90% (423/460) of participants preferred in-person clinic visits over telehealth. Overall, delays in routine and urgent sexual health care were reported by 34% (129/375) and 12% (46/373) of participants, respectively. More men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender/gender non-conforming/nonbinary (TGNCNB) individuals experienced delayed care compared with women [MSM: aPR 1.43 (95% CI, 1.00-2.03); TGNCNB: 1.67 (1.04-2.69)]. Compared with participants who primarily sought sexual health care from private providers, those who primarily used SHCs experienced significantly more delayed care [1.72 (1.14-2.59)].
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Delays in sexual health care access can have serious implications for certain patient populations. Additional resources are needed to maintain access to sexual health clinic services.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38647232
doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001982
pii: 00007435-990000000-00355
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of Interest: None declared for any authors.