Changes in alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use and its association with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic among sexual minority men in Eastern European and Central Asian countries.
Alcohol and drug use
COVID-19
EECA
East European and Central Asia
Mental health
Sexual minority men
Journal
Journal of affective disorders
ISSN: 1573-2517
Titre abrégé: J Affect Disord
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7906073
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
20 May 2024
20 May 2024
Historique:
received:
22
06
2023
revised:
28
04
2024
accepted:
18
05
2024
medline:
23
5
2024
pubmed:
23
5
2024
entrez:
22
5
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
The COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly negative impact on mental wellbeing of vulnerable individuals, such as sexual minority men (SMM) living in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where the social-political climate may be restrictive for SMM. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use may be another factor contributing to exacerbated mental health among SMM in this region. Secondary analyses were conducted using data collected as part of the COVID-19 disparities survey from active users of Hornet, a popular geo-social networking app for SMM in late 2020. Using a subset of SMM living in EECA (n = 3209) and pre-validated scales (AUDIT-C and PHQ-4), we used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the relationship between changes in participants' use of ATOD and their mental wellbeing. Based on AUDIT-C, 35.1 % SMM screened for alcohol use disorder (AUD), 18.6 % reported an increase in alcohol use since the pandemic began. Over 30 % screened for depressive symptoms and anxiety based on PHQ-4 (30.4 % and 30.7 %, respectively). In multivariable models, AUD was significantly associated with screening positive for depressive symptoms and anxiety. Other factors associated with mental distress included lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, ethnic minority identity, IPV victimization, and financial and economic vulnerability. Cross-sectional data cannot be used to infer causality. Our results support the needs for integrated substance use reduction and mental health services tailored for SMM in EECA. Programs aimed at promoting mental wellbeing among SMM in EECA must consider both interpersonal and structural barriers.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly negative impact on mental wellbeing of vulnerable individuals, such as sexual minority men (SMM) living in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where the social-political climate may be restrictive for SMM. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use may be another factor contributing to exacerbated mental health among SMM in this region.
METHODS
METHODS
Secondary analyses were conducted using data collected as part of the COVID-19 disparities survey from active users of Hornet, a popular geo-social networking app for SMM in late 2020. Using a subset of SMM living in EECA (n = 3209) and pre-validated scales (AUDIT-C and PHQ-4), we used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the relationship between changes in participants' use of ATOD and their mental wellbeing.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Based on AUDIT-C, 35.1 % SMM screened for alcohol use disorder (AUD), 18.6 % reported an increase in alcohol use since the pandemic began. Over 30 % screened for depressive symptoms and anxiety based on PHQ-4 (30.4 % and 30.7 %, respectively). In multivariable models, AUD was significantly associated with screening positive for depressive symptoms and anxiety. Other factors associated with mental distress included lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, ethnic minority identity, IPV victimization, and financial and economic vulnerability.
LIMITATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sectional data cannot be used to infer causality.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the needs for integrated substance use reduction and mental health services tailored for SMM in EECA. Programs aimed at promoting mental wellbeing among SMM in EECA must consider both interpersonal and structural barriers.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38777270
pii: S0165-0327(24)00825-5
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.089
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest All authors declare no conflict of interest.