HIV infection, COVID-19, and vaccination against COVID-19 infection in sub-populations of men who have sex with men (MSM) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic: A questionnaire survey

Abstract

Aim: MSM is one of the key groups to HIV. The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions implemented in connection with it have fundamentally changed social and sexual life. These effects may have been much more potent for minority groups, such as MSM, than for the majority population. Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study used data from an online questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was distributed using social networks. Descriptive characteristics and prevalence were calculated. ANOVA was used to test for differences between variables. Results:A total of 701 responses were analyzed. The median age was 25-29 years, the most common was university education (33.1 %), and the majority lived in a city (77.2 %). 77.6 % identified as homosexual. 44.7 % had experienced COVID-19, and 76.2 % reported vaccination against COVID-19. 24.3 % did not know their HIV status, and 5.6 % said they were HIV positive. Conclusion:Knowledge of HIV status increased with age; many respondents did not know their HIV status. Along with education and economic activity, age was a significant factor for HIV, COVID-19, and vaccination. HIV prevalence was higher in the MSM population than reported by previous studies, highlighting the need for further studies and testing in this subpopulation.