Sex on demand: geosocial networking phone apps and risk of sexually transmitted infections among a cross-sectional sample of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles county

Abstract

Background Geosocial networking applications (GSN apps) used to meet sexual partners have become increasingly popular with men who have sex with men (MSM) since 2009. The current study aimed to determine if self-identified HIV negative, MSM clinic attendees who used GSN apps have an increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to self-identified HIV negative, MSM attendees who met sexual partners via in-person venues such as bars or clubs or through MSM-specific hook-up websites. Methods Data were collected between August 2011 and January 2013 on all self-identified HIV-negative, MSM clients visiting the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center for STI screening. A total of 7,184 individuals tested for STIs and self-reported behaviours on drug use and social networking methods to meet sexual partners. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the results. Results Individuals who used GSN apps to meet sexual partners had greater odds of testing positive for gonorrhoea (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.06–1.48) and for chlamydia (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.13–1.65) compared to individuals who met partners through in-person methods only. There were no significant differences in syphilis and HIV incidence between those who met partners via in-person venues only, on the internet or through GSN apps. Conclusions The present study concludes that sexual health clinic MSM attendees who are meeting on GSN apps are at greater risk for gonorrhoea and chlamydia than MSM attendees who meet in-person or on the internet. Future interventions should explore the use of these novel technologies for testing promotion, prevention and education.

Social Media Use and HIV-Related Risk Behaviors in Young Black and Latino Gay and Bi Men and Transgender Individuals in New York City: Implications for Online Interventions

“…This study found that in a field-based sample of young, poor, primarily Black and Latino MSM and transgender women, social media access and frequent use were widely prevalent, which have important implications for outreach and engagement for HIV prevention and other health interventions. This is in contrast to prior studies of social media use and HIV risk behaviors by sexual minorities, which have largely been comprised of white and/or older MSM 19,32,33 with higher socioeconomic status 25 with few or no transgender individuals included. Additionally, we found that while majority of respondents reported using social media to meet sexual partners, the types of sites primarily used for this purpose varied (Table 2) and that different types of social media platform use (e.g., sexual networking versus more general sites) was associated with exchange sex, which has implications for developing tailored social media-based interventions targeting different risk groups within urban youth and young sexual minority populations.…”

Sexually transmissible infection control programs for men who have sex with men – what will they look like in 2020?

“…54 A cross-sectional study in Los Angeles found higher odds of gonococcal and chlamydial infection in MSM who used geosocial networking apps for meeting sex partners compared to MSM who met partners through in-person methods only. 55 Concerns regarding how online avenues might affect implementation of infection control were legitimised by a syphilis outbreak in 1999, where a cluster of syphilis cases in San Francisco was associated with meeting partners in an Internet chat room. 56 Public health efforts to conduct partner notification were hindered by the anonymity and privacy provided by the online chat room.…”

Meeting Sexual Partners Through Internet Sites and Smartphone Apps in Australia: National Representative Study (Preprint)

“…[4,5] Findings from other studies have been mixed as to whether STI diagnoses are related to either finding or searching for sexual partners online. [1][2][3][4]17, 20] A number of studies have reported on HIV testing history among gay men and tend to find that men who use apps are more likely to have been tested for HIV. [15,20] Studies in gay men in Australia, suggest that men who use a combination of mobile phone apps, internet websites and offline places to meet partners appear to be at increased risk of STIs or HIV compared with men who use a narrower range of online and offline methods.…”

“…To date, most studies of meeting partners online have recruited specific populations and used convenience sampling strategies, such as targeting online users, gay venues or health care settings. [1][2][3] These settings are not representative and may result in an over-estimation of prevalence.…”