Sex in the Time of COVID-19

Study Design:

This is a survey-based quantitative study out of British Columbia, with responses collected between March and May 2020.

Study Sample:

The study sampled HIV-testing and sexual health service clients from British Columbia, Canada, with 1198 total respondents.

Research Questions:

This study investigated self-reported mental health during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March-May 2020). As a secondary objective, this study also explored differences in self-reported mental health across socially defined subgroups, including 2S/LGBTQ+ people, Indigenous people, and other racialized minorities.

Preliminary Findings:

55% of respondents reported their mental health as poor at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (March – May 2020). Poor self-rated mental health was 17% greater for Indigenous respondents and 12% lower for racialized non-Indigenous respondents, as compared with white respondents (p<0.05). The prevalence of poor self-rated mental health was 8% greater among those <30 years of age and 6% greater among those 30-39 years of age, as compared with respondents aged 40 and older (p<0.05). The prevalence of poor self-rated mental health was 17% greater (absolute difference) for trans respondents, as compared with cisgender respondents, though this difference was not statistically significant. *All percentages reflect absolute differences.

Existing and Forthcoming Publications and Outputs:

A manuscript informed by this study is in preparation.

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Mark Gilbert

Contact Information for Updates:

Sarah Watt (Research Coordinator): sarah.watt@bccdc.ca
Travis Salway: travis_salway@sfu.ca