ArticleJournal of affective disorders2024
Changes in alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use and its association with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic among sexual minority men in Eastern European and Central Asian countries.
Article in Journal of affective disorders, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and HIV PrEP Adherence Among Gay, Bisexual Men, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ukraine.AIDS and behavior · 2026Article
- Application of tobacco control experience to alcohol consumption measures.Bulletin of the World Health Organization · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly negative impact on mental wellbeing of vulnerable individuals, such as sexual minority men (SMM) living in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where the social-political climate may be restrictive for SMM. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use may be another factor contributing to exacerbated mental health among SMM in this region.
methodsSecondary analyses were conducted using data collected as part of the COVID-19 disparities survey from active users of Hornet, a popular geo-social networking app for SMM in late 2020. Using a subset of SMM living in EECA (n = 3209) and pre-validated scales (AUDIT-C and PHQ-4), we used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the relationship between changes in participants' use of ATOD and their mental wellbeing.
resultsBased on AUDIT-C, 35.1 % SMM screened for alcohol use disorder (AUD), 18.6 % reported an increase in alcohol use since the pandemic began. Over 30 % screened for depressive symptoms and anxiety based on PHQ-4 (30.4 % and 30.7 %, respectively). In multivariable models, AUD was significantly associated with screening positive for depressive symptoms and anxiety. Other factors associated with mental distress included lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, ethnic minority identity, IPV victimization, and financial and economic vulnerability. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional data cannot be used to infer causality.
conclusionsOur results support the needs for integrated substance use reduction and mental health services tailored for SMM in EECA. Programs aimed at promoting mental wellbeing among SMM in EECA must consider both interpersonal and structural barriers.
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