Access and utilization of HIV/STI testing services among men who have sex with men during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review
Abstract
Background:
Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to bear the disproportionate burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the public’s fear of the virus may have exacerbated this burden by hindering access to and utilization of HIV/STI testing services.
Methods:
We completed a systematic literature review to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MSM’s access and utilization of HIV/STI testing services. Online databases (PubMed, EMBASE, LGBTQ+ Source, CINAHL, and the WHO COVID database) and reference lists were searched until October 8, 2023 to identify literature meeting the following criteria: primary data collection; peer-reviewed publication in the English language; included MSM ≥ 18 years of age; examined access to and utilization of HIV and/or STI testing in the United States.
Results:
We identified 1,013 articles, of which 88 were eligible for full text review. Nineteen articles met full inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Twelve were cross-sectional studies, 4 were prospective cohort studies, and 3 were retrospective chart reviews. Sixteen of the 19 studies reported perceived interruptions or decreases in HIV/STI testing among MSM during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, two cross-sectional studies reported increases in STI prevalence during the pandemic and one cross-sectional study reported that access to HIV testing was unaffected.
Conclusion:
This systematic review summarized the existing literature that suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic largely impacted access to and utilization of HIV/STI testing among MSM in the U.S.
Authors
Gomillia CE, Arnold T, Dobbs TE, Monger ML, Nunn A, Ward LM
Year
2025
Topics
- Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
- Determinants of Health
- Determinants of Health
- Health services
- Population(s)
- Men who have sex with men
- General HIV- population
- Testing
- Testing
- Co-infections
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Other
- Health Systems
- Delivery arrangements
