Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on the physical and physiological fitness of LGBTQ individuals and sex workers in an urban Indian setting
Main Article Content
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences on public health, particularly for marginalized communities. This study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on the physical and physiological fitness of LGBTQ individuals and sex workers in an urban Indian setting—two populations often sidelined in healthcare discourse. Using a cross-sectional design, we gathered data through structured questionnaires and physical health assessments. Key parameters measured included Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, pulse rate, and hematological and biochemical markers to evaluate overall health status.
Our findings underscore a significant decline in physical and physiological health among the study participants during the pandemic. Both LGBTQ individuals and sex workers reported increased psychological distress and reduced access to healthcare services, compounded by socioeconomic challenges. Notably, the study observed marked deviations in physical health indicators: many participants exhibited lower body mass index (BMI) values, abnormal blood pressure, and irregularities in blood and biochemical profiles. These findings reflect heightened vulnerability to chronic diseases and overall health deterioration.
Economic instability played a central role in amplifying these health disparities. The lockdowns and social distancing measures led to substantial income losses and job insecurity, severely impacting the livelihoods of sex workers and members of the LGBTQ community. Furthermore, systemic stigma and limited support mechanisms worsened access to essential health services during this critical period.
In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for inclusive public health policies and targeted interventions that address the unique vulnerabilities of LGBTQ individuals and sex workers, especially during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article Details
The Medical Research Archives grants authors the right to publish and reproduce the unrevised contribution in whole or in part at any time and in any form for any scholarly non-commercial purpose with the condition that all publications of the contribution include a full citation to the journal as published by the Medical Research Archives.
References
2. Medina-Martínez J, Saus-Ortega C, Sánchez-Lorente MM, Sosa-Palanca EM, García-Martínez P, Mármol-López MI. Health inequities in LGBT people and nursing interventions to reduce them: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(22):11801. doi:10.3390/ijerph182211801
3. Westwood S, Willis P, Fish J, et al. Older LGBT+ health inequalities in the UK: setting research agenda. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2020;74 (5):408-411. doi:10.1136/jech-2019-213068
4. Pal S, Pathak PK, Rahaman M. Physical-mental health and awareness of HIV/STIs among men who have sex with men in selected cities of India. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):320. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-15202-z
5. Braga LP, Szwarcwald CL, Damacena GN, et al. Health vulnerabilities in female sex workers in Brazil, 2016. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(35): e30185. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030185
6. McGowan VJ, Lowther HJ, Meads C. Life under COVID-19 for LGBT+ people in the UK: systematic review of UK research on the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and gender minority populations. BMJ Open. 2021;11(7):e050092. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050092
7. Macedo Neto AO, Silva SAGD, Gonçalves GP, Torres JL. COVID-19 vulnerability among Brazilian sexual and gender minorities: a cross-sectional study. Cad Saude Publica. 2022;38(8):e00234421. doi:10.1590/0102-311XEN234421
8. Mahajan N, Kohli S, Aggarwal S. Assessment of COVID-19 impact on commercial sex workers in India: a formative research by media scanning. Indian J Community Med. 2023;48(2):220-229. doi:10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_741_22
9. Salerno JP, Boekeloo BO. LGBTQ identity-related victimization during COVID-19 is associated with moderate to severe psychological distress among young adults. LGBT Health. 2022;9(5):303-312. doi:10.1089/lgbt.2021.0280
10. Arora A. India's LGBTQ+ community continues to face healthcare barriers. BMJ. 2021;375:n2727. doi:10.1136/bmj.n2727
11. Khanna D, Peltzer C, Kahar P, Parmar MS. Body mass index (BMI): a screening tool analysis. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22119. doi:10.7759/cureus.22119
12. Gao M, Piernas C, Astbury NM, et al. Associations between body-mass index and COVID-19 severity in 6.9 million people in England: a prospective, community-based, cohort study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021;9(6):350-359. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00089-9
13. Spruill TM. Chronic psychosocial stress and hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2010;12(1):10-16. doi:10.1007/s11906-009-0084-8
14. Zhang D, Wang W, Li F. Association between resting heart rate and coronary artery disease, stroke, sudden death and noncardiovascular diseases: a meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2016;188(15):E384-E392. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160050
15. Jin S, Lu X, Xu C. COVID-19 induces gastrointestinal symptoms and affects patients' prognosis. J Int Med Res.2022;50(10):300060522 1129543. doi:10.1177/03000605221129543
16. Panimathi R, Gurusamy E, Mahalakshmi S, et al. Impact of COVID-19 on renal function: a multivariate analysis of biochemical and immunological markers in patients. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22076. doi:10.775 9/cureus.22076
17. Shaikh A, Kamble P, Daulatabad V, Singhal A, Madhusudhan U, John NA. Mental health challenges within the LGBTQ community: A societal imperative. J Family Med Prim Care. 2024;13(9):3529-3535. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_321_24
18. Moran CI. LGBTQ population health policy advocacy. Educ Health (Abingdon). 2021;34(1):19-21. doi:10.4103/efh.EfH_243_18