Abstract
This study used data collected from an online survey study on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan to examine changes in sex life during the pandemic and the factors affecting such changes. In total, 1954 respondents were recruited from a Facebook advertisement. The survey inquired changes in sex life during the pandemic, including satisfaction with the individual’s sex life, frequency of sexual activity, frequency of sex-seeking activity, and frequency of using protection for sex. The associations of change in sex life with risk perception of COVID-19, general anxiety, gender, age, and sexual orientation were also examined. For each aspect of their sex life, 1.4%–13.5% of respondents reported a decrease in frequency or satisfaction, and 1.6%–2.9% reported an increase in frequency or satisfaction. Risk perception of COVID-19 was significantly and negatively associated with frequencies of sexual and sex-seeking activities. Higher general anxiety was significantly and negatively associated with satisfaction of sex life and frequencies of sexual and sex-seeking activities. Sexual minority respondents were more likely to report decreased satisfaction with sex life and frequencies of sexual activity and sex-seeking activities during COVID-19. Health care providers should consider these factors when developing strategies for sexual wellness amid respiratory infection epidemics.
Highlights
The results indicated that decreased satisfaction with sex life was significantly associated with being male, being a sexual minority, and having a higher level of general anxiety; no factor was significantly associated with increased satisfaction with sex life
The present study found that risk perception, general anxiety, gender, age, and sexual orientation related to various aspects of changes in sex life during the COVID-19 pandemic
Most respondents reported no change in their sex life during the COVID-19 pandemic, 1.4%–13.5% of respondents reported a decrease and 1.6%–2.9% reported an increase in various aspects of their sex life
Summary
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in Taiwan. COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 and has been spread to over 200 countries and territories around the world, with the total number of infected cases having risen to over 14,000,000 and more than 590,000 deaths, as of 17 July 2020 [1]. Given the geographical proximity and busy transportation between Taiwan and China, Taiwan was predicted to have the second highest number of COVID-19 cases early in the outbreak [2]. 2002–2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which originated from China; globally, Taiwan had the third highest number of SARS cases, after China and Hong Kong [3]. The experience with SARS made the Taiwanese government and people vigilant against COVID-19.
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