Love during lockdown: findings from an online survey examining the impact of COVID-19 on the sexual health of people living in Australia

Abstract

IntroductionAustralia recorded its first case of COVID-19 in late January 2020. On 22P March 2020, amid increasing daily case numbers, the Australian Government implemented lockdown restrictions to help ‘flatten the curve’. Our study aimed to understand the impact of lockdown restrictions on sexual and reproductive health. Here we focus on sexual practices.MethodsAn online survey was open from the 23PP April 2020 to 11P May 2020. Participants were recruited online via social media and other networks and were asked to report on their sexual practices in 2019 and during lockdown. Logistic regression was used to calculate the difference (diff) (including 95% CIs) in the proportion of sex practices between time periods.ResultsOf the 1187 who commenced the survey, 965 (81.3%) completed it. Overall, 70% were female and 66.3% were aged 18–29 years. Most (53.5%) reported less sex during lockdown than in 2019. Compared with 2019, participants were more likely to report sex with a spouse (35.3% vs 41.7%; diff=6.4%; 95% CI 3.6 to 9.2) and less likely to report sex with a girl/boyfriend (45.1% vs 41.8%; diff=−3.3%; 95% CI −7.0 to -0.4) or with casual hook-up (31.4% vs 7.8%; 95% CI −26.9 to -19.8). Solo sex activities increased; 14.6% (123/840) reported using sex toys more often and 26.0% (218/838) reported masturbating more often. Dating app use decreased during lockdown compared with 2019 (42.1% vs 27.3%; diff= −14.8%; 95% CI −17.6 to -11.9). Using dating apps for chatting/texting (89.8% vs 94.5%; diff=4.7%; 95% CI 1.0 to 8.5) and for setting up virtual dates (2.6% vs 17.2%; diff=14.6%; 95% CI 10.1 to 19.2) increased during lockdown.ConclusionAlthough significant declines in sexual activity during lockdown were reported, people did not completely stop engaging in sexual activities, highlighting the importance of ensuring availability of normal sexual and reproductive health services during global emergencies.

Sexuality during the COVID-19 pandemic: The importance of Internet

“…In an Australian study ( Coombe et al, 2020 ), participants reported an equal median of sexual partner (one) in 2019 and during lockdown. However, 89.8% (847/943) reported sexual activity in 2019 and 60.3% during lockdown.…”

“…When stratified by frequency of sexual activity during lockdown, those who reported less or no sex during lockdown were more likely to report using sex toys alone (18.3% vs. 8.3) and masturbating alone (35.6% vs. 10.3%), compared with those who reported the same amount or more sex since Covid-19. A total of 98 participants (11.5%) reported that they bought a sex toy during lockdown and of these, 24% indicated that this was their first ( Coombe et al, 2020 ).…”

HIV Testing and Diagnoses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Melbourne, Australia

“…These restrictions may reduce the opportunity for sex with casual partners and, hence, reduce an individual's sexual risk. 1 , 2 This proposition is supported by substantial declines in presentations for HIV postexposure prophylaxis prescriptions during the COVID-19 lockdowns in several countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. 3 , 4 We described the impact these restrictions may have had on HIV testing and diagnoses.…”

La sexualité pendant la pandémie COVID-19 – de l’importance d’Internet

“…Dans une étude australienne ( Coombe et al, 2020 ), les participants ont déclaré une médiane égale de partenaires sexuels (un) en 2019 et pendant le confinement. Cependant, 89,8 % (847/943) ont déclaré avoir eu des rapports sexuels en 2019 et 60,3 % pendant le confinement.…”

“…Lorsqu’on l’on stratifie les sujets en fonction de la fréquence des rapports sexuels pendant le confinement, les personnes qui ont déclaré avoir eu moins ou pas de rapports sexuels pendant le confinement sont plus susceptibles de déclarer avoir utilisé des sex toys seuls (18,3 % contre 8,3) et s’être masturbés seuls (35,6 % contre 10,3 %) que celles qui ont déclaré avoir eu autant ou plus de rapports sexuels depuis COVID-19. Au total, 98 participants (11,5 %) ont déclaré avoir acheté un sex toys pendant le confinement et parmi ceux-ci, 24 % ont indiqué que c’était la première fois qu’ils le faisaient ( Coombe et al, 2020 ).…”