RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Use of geosocial networking applications is independently associated with diagnosis of STI among men who have sex with men testing for STIs: findings from the cross-sectional MSM Internet Survey Ireland (MISI) 2015
JF Sexually Transmitted Infections
JO Sex Transm Infect
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 279
OP 284
DO 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053637
VO 95
IS 4
A1 Lois O’Connor
A1 Kate O'Donnell
A1 Peter Barrett
A1 Ford Colin Ian Hickson
A1 Daniel McCartney
A1 Mick Quinlan
A1 Alicia Barrasa
A1 Margaret Fitzgerald
A1 Derval Igoe
YR 2019
UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/95/4/279.abstract
AB Objectives MSM Internet Survey Ireland (MISI) 2015 was an anonymous, self-completed, cross-sectional internet survey assessing sexual behaviours and health needs among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ireland. We explored factors associated with self-reported STI diagnosis among MSM who were sexually active and had an STI test in the previous year.Methods We compared the study population (n=1158; 37% of total population), with the sexually active MISI population not testing for STIs (n=1620; 52% of total population). Within the study population, we identified sociodemographics and sexual behaviours associated with self-reporting STI diagnosis. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs).Results The sociodemographics, lifestyle and sexual behaviours of the study population differed significantly from the sexually active MISI population who did not test for STIs. Within the study population, 65% met a sexual partner via geosocial networking smartphone application (GSNa) and 21% self-reported an STI diagnosis in the previous year. On univariable analysis, factors associated with STI diagnosis included: older age, identifying as gay, HIV-positive status, increasing number of sexual partners in the previous year, condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with ≥2 non-steady partners and using GSNa to meet a new sexual partner in the previous year or most recent sexual partner. On multivariable analysis, STI diagnosis was associated with: being aged 25–39 years (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.15), CAI with ≥2 non-steady partners (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.84 to 4.34), total number of sexual partners (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03) and using GSNa to meet a new sexual partner (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.39).Conclusions STI diagnosis among MSM testing for STIs is associated with GSNa use, as well as sexual behaviours. GSNas are key settings for STI prevention interventions, which should prioritise men with high numbers of sexual partners and those with multiple CAI partners.