Gay Dating App Users Support and Utilize Sexual Health Features on Apps

Hecht, Jennifer; Zlotorzynska, María; Sanchez, Travis; Wohlfeiler, Dan

doi:10.1007/s10461-021-03554-9

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Youth using dating apps less than once a week were nearly 50% more likely to test positive for STI compared with youth who did not use dating apps and more frequent users. Given that previous research has shown that frequent users of dating websites and apps have higher numbers of casual partners compared with nonusers, 21 our finding is surprising. Because more than of adolescent GBMSM report using apps to meet sexual partners, 21 we posit that infrequent dating app users may represent a higher-risk subpopulation who are less likely to adhere to dating behaviors that would reduce STI transmission.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

“…Given that previous research has shown that frequent users of dating websites and apps have higher numbers of casual partners compared with nonusers, 21 our finding is surprising. Because more than of adolescent GBMSM report using apps to meet sexual partners, 21 we posit that infrequent dating app users may represent a higher-risk subpopulation who are less likely to adhere to dating behaviors that would reduce STI transmission. This finding underscores the need to investigate further the context in which dating apps are being used.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

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Using Machine Learning to Identify Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections Over Time Among Young People Living With or at Risk for HIV Who Participated in ATN Protocols 147, 148, and 149

Comulada,

Rotheram-Borus,

Arnold

et al. 2023

Sexual Trans Dis

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Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among youth aged 12 to 24 years have doubled in the last 13 years, accounting for 50% of STIs nationally. We need to identify predictors of STI among youth in urban HIV epicenters. Methods Sexual and gender minority (gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse) and other youth with multiple life stressors (homelessness, incarceration, substance use, mental health disorders) were recruited from 13 sites in Los Angeles and New Orleans (N = 1482). Self-reports and rapid diagnostic tests for STI, HIV, and drug use were conducted at 4-month intervals for up to 24 months. Machine learning was used to identify predictors of time until new STI (including a new HIV diagnosis). Results At recruitment, 23.9% of youth had a current or past STI. Over 24 months, 19.3% tested positive for a new STI. Heterosexual males had the lowest STI rate (12%); African American youth were 23% more likely to acquire an STI compared with peers of other ethnicities. Time to STI was best predicted by attending group sex venues or parties, moderate but not high dating app use, and past STI and HIV seropositive status. Conclusions Sexually transmitted infections are concentrated among a subset of young people at highest risk. The best predictors of youth's risk are their sexual environments and networks. Machine learning will allow the next generation of research on predictive patterns of risk to be more robust.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

Using Machine Learning to Identify Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections Over Time Among Young People Living With or at Risk for HIV Who Participated in ATN Protocols 147, 148, and 149

Comulada,

Rotheram-Borus,

Arnold

et al. 2023

Sexual Trans Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…4 More recently, 75% of participants (n = 7867) of the 2019 American Men's Internet Survey, an online, cross-sectional, annual survey of MSM in the United States, reported using a dating app or website in the past year and 72% reported meeting a male partner through an app. 5 However, findings are mixed regarding those who use the Internet and apps for seeking sex partners and increased engagement in behaviors that put them at increased risk of acquiring or transmitting STI/HIV. Most studies have found that those who report online sex partner (OSP) more frequently engage in behaviors that put them at increased STI risk, such as condomless anal sex, a greater number of sex partners, and alcohol/drug use.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated With Online Sex Partners Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results From a National Survey

et al. 2021

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Background: Associations between online sex seeking and increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) typically rely on convenience samples. We examined Internet and mobile app use for finding sex partners among a nationally representative sample of MSM. Methods:We analyzed 2011 to 2017 data from the National Survey of Family Growth, a nationally representative sample of the civilian, non-institutionalized US population (15-44 years). The analytic sample was comprised of men who reported 1 or more same-sex partners in the past year. We also assessed associations between online sex-seeking and STI risk, sexual health care behaviors, and condom use.Results: Of 13,320 male respondents, 442 (3.0%) reported sex with a man in the past year, of whom 215 (46.3%) had met a partner online. Between MSM who met partners online and those who did not, we found no differences by age, education, race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Men who have sex with men with online partners were more likely to identify as gay (68.4% vs 49.5%, P = 0.0124). They also reported more sex partners overall (M = 3.04 vs 1.60, P < 0.0001), and multiple insertive (46.3% vs 8.5%, P < 0.0001) and receptive (33.2% vs 15.4%, P = 0.0055) anal sex partners, in the past year. They were also more likely to receive sexual risk assessments (56.0% vs 40.4%, P = 0.0129), STI testing (57.4% vs 35.3%, P = 0.0002), and STI treatment (17.8% vs 8.7%, P = 0.0152) in the past year. We found no differences in condom use. Conclusions:Men who have sex with men who report using online sources to find sex partners are more likely than other MSM to report behaviors that increase risk for STI/HIV but are also more likely to engage in behaviors that may mitigate further transmission, such as STI testing.

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“…Lastly, our data highlight the challenges of contact tracing for anonymous encounters. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid expansion of pre-exposure vaccine accessibility globally and innovative approaches for anonymous partner notification, for instance, through functional additions to the messaging systems of online dating apps, which many users would be in favour of 32…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding sexual transmission dynamics and transmission contexts of monkeypox virus: a mixed-methods study of the early outbreak in Belgium (May–June 2022)

et al. 2022

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ObjectiveThe available epidemiological and clinical evidence from the currently ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak in non-endemic areas suggests an important factor of sexual transmission. However, limited information on the behaviour and experiences of individuals with an MPX infection has to date been provided. We aimed to describe the initial phase of the MPX outbreak in Belgium, and to provide a more in-depth description of sexual behaviour and transmission contexts.MethodsWe used routine national surveillance data of 139 confirmed MPX cases with date of symptom onset until 19 June 2022, complemented with 12 semistructured interviews conducted with a subsample of these cases.ResultsSexualised environments, including large festivals and cruising venues for gay men, were the suspected exposure setting for the majority of the cases in the early outbreak phase. In-depth narratives of sexual behaviour support the hypothesis of MPX transmission through close physical contact during sex. Despite awareness of the ongoing MPX outbreak, low self-perceived risk of MPX acquisition and confusing initial signs and symptoms for other STIs or skin conditions delayed early detection of an MPX infection. In addition, we describe relevant contextual factors beyond individual behaviour, related to sexual networks, interpersonal interactions and health systems. Some of these factors may complicate early MPX detection and control efforts.ConclusionOur results highlight the role of sexual contact and networks in the transmission of MPX during the early phase of the outbreak in Belgium. Risk communication messages should consistently and transparently state the predominant sexual transmission potential of MPX virus, and prevention and control measures must be adapted to reflect multilevel factors contributing to MPX transmission risk.

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Gay Dating App Users Support and Utilize Sexual Health Features on Apps

Cited by 12 publications

References 40 publications

Using Machine Learning to Identify Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections Over Time Among Young People Living With or at Risk for HIV Who Participated in ATN Protocols 147, 148, and 149

Using Machine Learning to Identify Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections Over Time Among Young People Living With or at Risk for HIV Who Participated in ATN Protocols 147, 148, and 149

Factors Associated With Online Sex Partners Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results From a National Survey

Understanding sexual transmission dynamics and transmission contexts of monkeypox virus: a mixed-methods study of the early outbreak in Belgium (May–June 2022)

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