Lockdowns are likely to have a range of impacts on sexual behaviour and transmitted diseases. Not only will people put off attending sexual health clinics but testing might also be delayed and occur late in the disease progression.
Is there any data analysis already on this? I suspect not so I'd be interested to hear views on this, especially from different geographical areas!
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There is a possibility of a decrease in the transmission and possibly incidence of sexually transmitted diseases due to the COVID-19 lockdown. However, these may be downplayed by a decrease in hospital visitations and diagnosis.
"At the times of famines and pandemics people just care about living, NOT LOVING".
As as result the sexually transmitted diseases have also decreased in the times of COVID-19, as nicely referenced by Christian G Meyer.
The probability of occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases is likely to increase due to fear out of the deadly virus.
Similarly frequency of sexual interaction with the known, safe partner may also become higher than normal.
Pregnancies may increase in countries where availability of contraceptives and associated knowledge on their usage are poor.
Given that most of health care systems have shifted their attention towards the fight against Covid-19, there is likely to be an increase in sexual transmitted diseases caused by reduced access to condoms. There have been reports of increased gender based violence which can also be linked to sexual abuse.
I believe that COVID-19 will affect all statistics in a given country. Movement restriction is likely to decrease events which are related to liberal mobility. In the meantime statistics on non-communicable disease are also likely to be affected. Studies are required to explore such probable changes. For example, one would like to see reduction in RTA
I think it will decrease among the married, however it may increase among the teenagers who are currently out of school and have a lot of time in their hands.
I think it will decrease among the married, however it may increase among the teenagers who are currently out of school and have a lot of time in their hands.
I think decrease or increase will depend on the social environment, effects of lockdown itself in different populations of the world. Some have reported increase in rape and other forms of violence.
Thanks everyone for your answers/thoughts! Margaret M Mezie-Okoye compleatly agree that it will differ in space- and Sehlulekile Gumede-Moyo terrible to hear of the increase in violence. Christian G Meyer thanks for the links -will have a read.
@Ingrid Holme, we can all share our experiences on the effect of COVID 19 on the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases.