How the Disruption in Sexually Transmitted Infection Care Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Could Lead to Increased Sexually Transmitted Infection Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in The Netherlands: A Mathematical Modeling Study

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruption in care for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the social distancing measures have led to reductions in STI testing and sexual behavior. We assessed the impact of these COVID-19–related changes on transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in The Netherlands. Methods: We developed a mathematical model for CT and NG transmission among MSM, accounting for COVID-19–related changes in sexual behavior and testing in 2020 to 2021. Changes in 2020 were estimated from d... Mehr ...