Lessons from COVID-19 for sexually transmitted infections: Listening and learning from young adults and healthcare providers on sexual health communications dynamics and decisions in four states

Abstract

Objectives

To learn how the COVID-19 pandemic response could shape public health messaging for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), researchers conducted qualitative interviews with young adults in demographic groups experiencing disparate rates of STIs and healthcare providers in California, Florida, Louisiana, and Missouri.

Methods

Between October 2020 and October 2021, researchers interviewed 55 young adults and 49 providers about COVID-19 and STI information sources, perceived risk, and messaging. Young adults included Black/African American gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (Black MSM); Latinx MSM; Black/African American transgender women; Latinx transgender women; and Black/African American cisgender women. Providers were medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses.

Results

Half of young adults identified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the news as primary trusted sources of COVID-19 information; for trusted STI information, they identified providers. Conversely, providers perceived that young adults receive sexual health information from the internet, peers, and social media. Nearly all young adults assessed their likelihood of contracting COVID-19 infection and STIs as low.

Conclusions

Communication efforts surrounding the novel coronavirus can help sexual healthcare providers improve messaging by aligning multiple, trusted sources of information to reduce message variability; increasing accountability for providers’ critical role in affirming sexual health discussions; and supporting patient-driven communications to address individualized STI information needs.

Practice Implications

STI information should be presented in a simple, consistent manner from multiple credible sources—in particular, providers. Second, providers should promote patient-driven conversations that address young people’s concerns and communicate with empathy in a non-judgmental fashion. Third, we can address young people’s low-risk perception by emphasizing factors both within and outside of young adults’ control that can facilitate an ongoing sexually healthy life.