Men Who Have Sex With Men and Recruit Bareback Sex Partners on the Internet: Implications for STI and HIV Prevention and Client Education

Abstract

other high-risk activities such as drug use and communication of other sexually transmitted infections. This article summarizes the literature assessing this phenomenon on the Internet. Specific recommendations are provided for clinicians, health educators, and researchers.

Reconsidering the Internet as an HIV/STD Risk for Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Estimates of MSM seeking partners online range from 40% (offline studies) to 85% (online studies) and of MSM engaging in sexual activity with partners met online (hereafter, ''online partners'') range from 30% (offline studies) to 82% (online studies) [11]. Many studies have documented higher levels of UAI and other behavioral risks among MSM seeking online partners [12,13], with some suggesting that the anonymity and efficiency of online partnering facilitates especially risky behaviors like concurrent substance use (''party n' play'') and pre-planned UAI (''barebacking'') [14][15][16].…”

Risk Patterns Preceding Diagnosis Among Newly HIV-Diagnosed Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City

“…Similarly, among a cohort of HIV-infected MSM, those who experienced sexual debut before age 16 demonstrated increased sexual risk behavior in subsequent years, and this effect was exacerbated if debut occurred before age 13. 26 A shifting culture around methods of meeting sex partners also presents increased risk, as MSM who utilize the Internet [27][28][29] and who attend ''group sex parties'' 30 often engage in higher risk sexual behavior and are more likely to be HIV infected. This behavior may be driven in part by sexual compulsivity, as emerging evidence suggests that sexual compulsivity is a significant predictor of risk behavior and subsequent HIV acquisition.…”

Impact of Socio-Medical Factors on the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS Among Specific Subpopulations

“…A 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found only 45% of respondents indicated hearing messages highlighting the plight of HIV/AIDS compared to 70% in 2004 (Office of National AIDS Policy, 2010). In addition to AIDS burnout and treatment optimism, research indicates an increase in sexual risk behavior among MSMs (Benotsch et al, 2002;Blackwell, 2008;Brennan, 2010;Brewer et al, 2006;Parsons, 2005;Van Kesteren, 2007;Wolitski et al, 2001). It is possible that the practice of faulty harm reduction sexual techniques has contributed to the increase of new HIV cases among MSMs.…”

“…It is in these sexually charged environments that spontaneous, unexpected and unprotected sex take place. Intentional acts of unprotected sex have become colloquially known as "bare-backing" (Blackwell, 2008;Parsons, 1995). A newly emerging outlet that is of particular interest is the internet.…”

“…A newly emerging outlet that is of particular interest is the internet. This medium provides a new way of meeting sexual partners without scrutiny (Benotsch et al, 2002;Blackwell et al, 2008;Bull et al, 2004). Description of online sex partner seeking highlights a three stage process that often includes the use of MSM chat rooms, meetings in person, and then ultimately sexual activity (Benotsch et al, 2002;Bull et al, 2004).…”