You've Got Male: Internet Use, Rural Residence, and Risky Sex in Men Who Have Sex With Men Recruited in 12 U.S. Cities

Abstract

Objective To assess whether the relationship between using the Internet to meet sex partners and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) differs for men who have sex with men (MSM) living in rural and urban areas. Methods Data on Internet use, residence and UAI were collected from MSM attending Gay Pride events in 12 U.S. cities. Results Rural MSM who used the Internet to meet sex partners were more likely to report any UAI (aOR: 1.89 (1.12-3.19)) and insertive UAI (aOR: 2.16 (1.13- 4.10)) with the last sex partner than those who did not use the Internet. For urban MSM, UAI was not more commonly reported by men who used the Internet to meet sex partners. Conclusions The association between using the Internet to meet sex partners and UAI depended on whether MSM resided in rural or urban areas. Rural MSM may have different patterns of risk behavior from urban MSM. The Internet may offer new prevention opportunities for rural MSM.

Reaching Suburban Men Who Have Sex With Men for STD and HIV Services Through Online Social Networking Outreach

“…Our traditional outreach was limited by lack of physical venues where MSM congregate, and the fact that some MSM in SMC do not self-identify as gay. These challenges have been cited by others focusing STD/HIV prevention work in suburban/rural communities 16 and with immigrant MSM. 17 Although the outreach health educator effort to identify contacts in our county was substantial for both traditional and Grindr outreach, the yield of contacts was far higher using Grindr.…”

“…16,18 Although implementation of a social networking platform for engaging MSM was a significant investment in staff time, our ability to reach regional MSM was greatly amplified, and prevention messages could be customized to engaged MSM.…”

Spatial Distribution of Partner-Seeking Men Who Have Sex With Men Using Geosocial Networking Apps: Epidemiologic Study (Preprint)

“…Much of the research on GSN app usage among MSM has been conducted in large urban areas [10,15,22,25,26], yet similar patterns of online sex-seeking are reported among MSM residing in rural and mid-size cities [27,28]. Smaller cities often differ from larger cities in terms of stigma [29,30] and availability of visible gay spaces [31][32][33].…”

Syndemic Theory and Male Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence: An Urban/Non-Urban Comparison

“…Unfortunately, meeting sexual partners online and covert sexual activity are associated with higher rates of unprotected anal intercourse and drug use [15]. Partners procured from internet web sites tend to be sexually compulsive and willing to participate in high-risk sexual activity [16]. The gay men who take part in covert sexual activities are more internally homophobic and less "out," both factors associated with MSSIPV [17].…”