@proceedings{Sonnenberg_P-2021_59158,
title = {Investigating Intimate Physical Contact Between Partners From Different Households During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From a Large, Quasi-Representative Survey (Natsal-COVID)},
author = {Sonnenberg, P. and Menezes, D. and Freeman, L. and Clifton, S. and Dema, E. and Mercer, C. and Copas, A. and Gibbs, J. and Riddell, J. and Maxwell, K. and Bosó Pérez, R. and Johnson, A. and Mitchell, K. and Field, N.},
month = {jul},
year = {2021},
abstract = {Background: Physical distancing as a non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission aims to reduce interactions between people, including between different households. We explored whether sexual intimacy needs impacted on compliance with physical distancing at a population level in Britain following the initial national lockdown on 23 March 2020. Methods: We undertook the Natsal-COVID web-panel survey between 29 July-10 August 2020. Quota-based sampling and weighting were used to obtain a quasi-representative sample of the British population. We estimated reporting of physical contact outside of the household (PCOH) with a romantic/sexual partner in the four weeks prior to interview, described the type of contact, identified demographic and behavioural factors associated with PCOH and present age-adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results: Of the 6,654 participants aged 18–59 years, 9.9% (95%CI:9.9–10.6%) reported PCOH. Of these, 86.1% reported oral/anal/vaginal sex or genital contact, while the remaining reported kissing (10.4%) or only holding hands/hugging/cuddling (3.4%). PCOH varied by age and gender and was highest in those aged 18–24 (20.6% of women and 15.6% of men). PCOH was more likely in participants identifying as gay/lesbian (aOR 2.5; 1.82–3.45) or bisexual (aOR 1.52; 1.12–2.05) and those reporting &gt;1 partner (aOR 1.71; 3.77–5.88) or condomless sex with a new partner (OR 5.03; 1.07–6.21) in the past year. PCOH was less likely in those reporting a steady or cohabiting relationship (aOR 0.66; 0.55–0.79 and aOR 0.11; 0.08–0.14 respectively), and in those reporting bad/very bad health (aOR 0.54; 0.32–0.93). Conclusion: The intimate nature of sexual contact is high-risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission and PCOH may expand transmission networks by connecting households. Mathematical models of NPIs might consider age- and gender-specific PCOH in the context of other mixing patterns. Public health messaging needs to recognise the importance of sexual and romantic contact in people’s decision-making and adherence to control measures.},
volume = {97},
issue = {(Suppl 1)},
journal = {Sexually Transmitted Infections},
publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2021-sti.74},
}
