Changes in sexual activities and risky sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review Cover Image

Changes in sexual activities and risky sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review
Changes in sexual activities and risky sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Author(s): SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi, Amirali Karimi, Pegah Mirzapour, Kowsar Qaderi, Parsa Mohammadi, Mohammad Amin Salehi, Marcarious M Tantuoyir, Ghazal Arjmand, Elnaz Shahmohamadi, Mehrdad Mahalleh, Shagheyegh Kianzad, Ava Pashaei, Sepideh Khodaei, Amir Masoud Afsahi, Esmaeil Mehraeen
Subject(s): Individual Psychology, Social psychology and group interaction, Personality Psychology, Clinical psychology
Published by: Društvo psihologa Srbije
Keywords: COVID-19; sexual activity; sexual behavior; sexual health; sexual intercourse

Summary/Abstract: Several studies reported changes in sexual activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a lack of comprehensive systematic reviews in this field. We aimed to systematically review the changes in sexual activities and risky sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist to improve transparency of our study. The results indicated a considerable decline in the frequency of sexual intercourse, particularly in singles and people with casual dating. Factors associated with sexual activity during the COVID-19 restrictions were depression, stress, lack of intimacy, inability to leave home, work schedule shifting, poor privacy, fear of COVID-19, lack of nightlife, and university educational level. Considering different groups of the population concerning their sexual behaviors is a necessary step in approaching healthy sexual behavior strategies, through which the adverse effects of a pandemic are minimized.

  • Issue Year: 58/2025
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 59-91
  • Page Count: 33
  • Language: English, Serbian
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