Polysubstance use in a community sample of Black cisgender sexual minority men and transgender women in Chicago during initial COVID-19 pandemic peak

Raymond L Moody,Rebecca Eavou,John A Schneider,Silvia S Martins,Liadh Timmins,Kangkana Koli,Mainza Durrell,Dustin T Duncan,Hillary Hanson,Jessica Dehlin,Justin Knox,Yen-Tyng Chen

doi:10.1186/s13011-022-00433-x

Abstract

BackgroundIn response to COVID-19, the city of Chicago issued stay-at-home orders, which began on March 20, 2020, and restrictions meant to “flatten the curve” remained in effect until June 2, 2020. On June 3, 2020, Chicago entered the reopening phase. This study compares rates of polysubstance use by COVID-19 lockdown phase and across sociodemographic characteristics in a Chicago-based sample of Black cisgender sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women.MethodData come from the Neighborhood and Networks (N2) cohort, an ongoing study of Black cisgender SMM and transgender women living in Chicago. Participants (N = 226) completed a survey between April 20, 2020, and July 30, 2020, during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chicago. We conducted chi-square tests of independence and modified Poisson regression models with robust error variance and estimated adjusted prevalence ratios.ResultsAlcohol and marijuana were the most used substances, with 73.5% reporting at least one drinking day and 71.2% of the sample reporting marijuana use in the past 14 days. Tobacco was used by 41.6% of the sample, and illegal drug use, which does not include marijuana, was reported by 17.7% of the sample. Substance use was consistently associated with the use of other substances. As such, polysubstance use (i.e., using two or more substances) was common in this sample (63.7%). Few sociodemographic differences emerged, and substance use was not associated with lockdown phase.ConclusionSubstance use, including polysubstance use, was high in our sample of Black SMM and transgender women during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued monitoring is needed given the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative health consequences associated with substance use in this population.

Highlights

In response to COVID-19, the city of Chicago issued stay-at-home orders, which began on March 20, 2020, and restrictions meant to “flatten the curve” remained in effect until June 2, 2020
Polysubstance use was defined as use of two or more substances in past 14 days housing during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to report an increase in their drinking frequency compared to those who had housing (APR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.18, 2.54, p = .005)
Substance use was common in our Chicago-based sample of Black cisgender sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

Introduction

In response to COVID-19, the city of Chicago issued stay-at-home orders, which began on March 20, 2020, and restrictions meant to “flatten the curve” remained in effect until June 2, 2020. This study compares rates of polysubstance use by COVID-19 lockdown phase and across sociodemographic characteristics in a Chicago-based sample of Black cisgender sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women. The city of Chicago (the site of the current study) issued stay-at-home orders that began on March 20, 2020, and most restrictions remained in effect until June 2, 2020. A study of sexual minority men (SMM) in the US found that 26.0% reported increased alcohol use, and 9.9% reported increased drug use since the COVID19 pandemic began [9]. Some studies involving SMM and transgender women suggest that substance use prevalence decreased but substance use frequency increased among those who continued using early in the COVID-19 pandemic [10, 11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion