HIV Prevention During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sexual Activity and PrEP Use Among Black Same-Gender-Loving Men and Black Cisgender Women

Abstract

Black populations in the U.S. South are disproportionally affected by HIV and COVID-19 due to longstanding inequalities. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews—12 with Black same-gender-loving men and 8 with Black cisgender women—to explore the impact of the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual activities and PrEP use. Almost all participants reduced the frequency of sex and number of partners. Women described little interest in sex, whereas men began to connect with some sexual partners after stay-at-home orders were lifted. Both populations were concerned about contracting COVID-19 through sexual partners, and men described selecting partners based on perceived COVID-19 risk. Participants valued PrEP and could access it, although several men who were not having sex stopped taking it. Risk of acquiring HIV during this time was likely limited. Future qualitative research is needed to understand how sexual behaviors and PrEP use changed as the pandemic continued.