SHORT REPORT

Associations between internet sex seeking and STI associated risk behaviours among men who have sex with men

A Mettey¹, R Crosby^1,2, R J DiClemente^1,2,3 and D R Holtgrave^1,2

¹ Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health, Education, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
² Emory Center for AIDS Research, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
³ Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Richard Crosby
PhD, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 542, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; rcrosby{at}sph.emory.edu

Objective: This exploratory study identified associations between internet sex seeking and HIV associated risk behaviours among a high risk sample of men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: A cross sectional survey of men attending a sex resort was conducted. Of 164 men asked to participate, 91% completed a self administered questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed demographic variables and (using a 3 month recall period) men’s HIV associated sexual risk behaviours. Potential confounding variables were assessed and controlled, as needed, by multivariate analysis.

Results: Men currently resided in 14 states. One sixth reported being HIV positive. 57% of the men reported using the internet to seek sex. Differences in critical behaviours (unprotected anal sex and number of partners) were not found. However, compared to those not seeking sex by internet, men using the internet to meet sex partners were more likely to report fisting (adjusted odds ratio = 3.3, p = 0.04), having group sex (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.2, p = 0.0001), using poppers during sex (PR = 1.94, p = 0.0001), and using ecstasy during sex (PR = 2.7, p = 0.04). Internet sex seeking men were also significantly more likely to report meeting sex partners in bathhouses (PR = 2.2, p = 0.0001), bars (PR = 1.5, p = 0.001), parks (PR = 3.2, p = 0.006), and circuit parties (PR = 8.9, p = 0.007).

Conclusion: Among MSM attending a sex resort, those using the internet to seek sex partners may have modestly elevated risks for acquiring or transmitting sexually transmitted infections. Subsequent studies should investigate the utility of using the internet as forum for promoting safer sex behaviours among high risk MSM.

Keywords: homosexual men; internet; sex resort; sexual behaviour

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Brief Encounters

Helen Ward
Sex Transm Inf 2003 79: 432. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Al-Tayyib, A A, McFarlane, M, Kachur, R, Rietmeijer, C A (2009). Finding sex partners on the internet: what is the risk for sexually transmitted infections?. Sex. Transm. Infect. 85: 216-220 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Prestage, G P, Hudson, J, Jin, F, Corrigan, N, Martin, P, Grulich, A E, McInnes, D (2009). Testing for HIV and sexually transmissible infections within a mainly online sample of gay men who engage in group sex. Sex. Transm. Infect. 85: 70-74 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Zhang, D, Bi, P, Lv, F, Tang, H, Zhang, J, Hiller, J E (2007). Internet use and risk behaviours: an online survey of visitors to three gay websites in China. Sex. Transm. Infect. 83: 571-576 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Heffelfinger, J. D., Swint, E. B., Berman, S. M., Weinstock, H. S. (2007). Trends in Primary and Secondary Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States. Am. J. Public Health 97: 1076-1083 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Garofalo, R., Herrick, A., Mustanski, B. S., Donenberg, G. R. (2007). Tip of the Iceberg: Young Men Who Have Sex With Men, the Internet, and HIV Risk. Am. J. Public Health 97: 1113-1117 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Truong, H-H M, Kellogg, T, Klausner, J D, Katz, M H, Dilley, J, Knapper, K, Chen, S, Prabhu, R, Grant, R M, Louie, B, McFarland, W (2006). Increases in sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behaviour without a concurrent increase in HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in San Francisco: a suggestion of HIV serosorting?. Sex. Transm. Infect. 82: 461-466 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Crosby, R, DiClemente, R J (2004). Use of recreational Viagra among men having sex with men. Sex. Transm. Infect. 80: 466-468 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Cohen, C E, Giles, A, Nelson, M (2004). Sexual trauma associated with fisting and recreational drugs. Sex. Transm. Infect. 80: 469-470 [Abstract] [Full Text]