Mobile Phone and Internet Use Mostly for Sex-Seeking and Associations With Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sample Characteristics Among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men in 3 US Cities

Abstract

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a relatively high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examines the association of self-reported STIs and use of mobile phones and/or computer-based Internet to meet sexual partners among black and Hispanic/Latino MSM in the U.S. Methods Black and Hispanic/Latino MSM (N=853) were recruited from three U.S. cities (Chicago, IL, Kansas City, MO, and Fort Lauderdale, FL) via online and community outreach. Men completed a computer-assisted, self-interview assessment on demographics, use of mobile phones and computer-based Internet for sex-seeking, sexual risk behavior, and self-reported bacterial STIs in the past year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model independent associations of STIs and use of these technologies to meet sexual partners. Results 23% of the sample reported having an STI in the past year; 29% reported using a mobile phone and 28% a computer-based Internet mostly for sex-seeking; and 22% reported using both. Number of male sexual partners (past year) was associated with any STI (AOR=1.03, 95% CI =1.01–1.06). Adjusting for HIV status, number of male sexual partners (past year), and demographic variables, men who reported use of both mobile phones and computer-based Internet for sex-seeking had increased odds of reporting an STI (AOR=2.59, 95% CI=1.75–3.83), as well as with separate reports of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (p’s<.05). Conclusions Enhanced community education regarding STI prevention, testing and treatment options are necessary among this subpopulation of MSM, who may benefit from messaging via Internet and mobile phone application sites.

The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…More than half of these studies ( n = 15/25, 60.0%) recruited app-users aged were 18 or above years of age [ 5 , 13 , 21 – 27 , 29 , 32 , 34 , 36 – 38 , 41 , 43 – 45 ], and showed a predominance of young adults (18 to 30 years old; n = 8/15, 53%) [ 5 , 13 , 21 , 22 , 25 , 36 , 38 , 41 , 43 – 45 ]. According to the available data, 4427 (54.2%) app-users were white, 5754 (78.2%) were gay-identified and 6420 (71.3%) had at least college education.…”

“…Eight studies assessed self-reported HIV diagnosis [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 23 , 27 , 32 , 33 , 38 ]. Since we found medium heterogeneity (I 2 = 45%, P heterogeneity = 0.08) among these studies, a random-effects model was used to pool the OR.…”

“…For self-reported syphilis diagnosis, we first used a fixed-effect model to pool the available data [ 3 , 6 , 32 ], We found that app-users were more likely to have syphilis (OR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.37–2.59). However, we detected medium heterogeneity (I 2 = 70%, P heterogeneity = 0.04) among these studies.…”

“…Three studies assessed self-reported gonorrhea and chlamydia diagnoses [ 3 , 6 , 32 ]. As there was no heterogeneity for either gonorrhea (I 2 = 0%, P heterogeneity = 0.80) or chlamydia (I 2 = 0%, P heterogeneity = 0.88) diagnoses, we employed a fixed-effect model to pool the OR.…”

Similar, but different: drivers of the disproportionate HIV and sexually transmitted infection burden of key populations

“…The presence of sexualized venues such as brothels, bathhouses and sex-seeking social media create specific environments where HIV/STI can be efficiently spread [43,44]. These physical spaces and/or online connections [45][46][47] may lead to rapid partner turnover, increasing the likelihood of HIV/STI transmission. In socially marginalized populations with high HIV/STI prevalence, the limited choice of new partners leads to increased risk through assortative mixing.…”