IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

The aim of our study was to investigate the changes in sexual behavior related to the COVID-19 restrictions of the lockdown in Romania. An online questionnaire was distributed on various social media groups during confinement, trying to include subjects with different backgrounds, educational levels, and fields of activity. Besides the collection of demographic data (age, gender, sexual orientation, education, occupation, relationship status, etc.), knowledge about COVID-19, sexual and reproductive health, information about sexual behavior (sexual desire, frequency of sexual activity, masturbation, etc.), alcohol and other psychoactive substances and comorbidities were noted. A total of 642 participants completed the survey. During the COVID-19 self-isolation/social distancing, 19.8% of subjects (n=100) reported a decrease in sexual desire, 35.5% (n=180) recognized a decrease in sexual activity and 56.9% (287) described an increase in the frequency of masturbation. The decrease in sexual activity was significantly higher (53.8%) in participants who identified within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. The multinomial logistic regression proved that the decrease in sexual activity was significantly correlated with not being in an exclusive relationship and a decrease in sexual desire during the COVID-19 lockdown.