Online Hookup Sites for Meeting Sexual Partners among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Rhode Island, 2013: A Call for Public Health Action

Chan, Philip A.; Towey, Caitlin; Poceta, Joanna; Rose, Jennifer; Bertrand, Thomas; Kantor, Rami; Harvey, Julia; Santamaria, E. Karina; Alexander‐Scott, Nicole; Nunn, Amy

doi:10.1177/003335491613100210

Cited by 44 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…That meeting sex partners online was retained in a multivariate model that tested ten possible antecedents intimates the possible utility of this behavior as a general marker for risk and thereby supports the concept of developing corresponding online approaches to the clinic-based promotion of safer sex for YBMSM. Emerging evidence suggests that making such online programs available through the same hook-up sites that men use may be efficacious (Chan et al, 2016). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of sexual-risk behaviors among young black MSM: implications for clinic-based counseling programs

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study applied an 8-item index of recent sexual risk behaviors to young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) and evaluated the distribution for normality. The distribution was tested for associations with possible antecedents of sexual risk. YBMSM (N=600), ages 16–29 years, were recruited from an STI clinic, located in the Southern United States. Men completed an extensive audio-computer assisted self-interview. Thirteen possible antecedents of sexual risk, as assessed by the index, were selected for analyses. The 8-item index formed a normal distribution with a mean of 4.77 (sd=1.77). In adjusted analyses, not having completed education beyond high school was associated with less risk, as was having sex with females. Conversely, meeting sex partners online was associated with greater risk, as was reporting that sex partners were drunk during sex. The obtained normal distribution of sexual risk behaviors suggests a corresponding need to “target and tailor” clinic-based counseling and prevention services for YBMSM. Avoiding sex when partners are intoxicated may be an especially valuable goal of counseling sessions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of sexual-risk behaviors among young black MSM: implications for clinic-based counseling programs

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It has been hypothesized that these digital venues may facilitate multiple partnerships and other HIV risk behaviors for MSM who already engage in these behaviors rather than act as a catalyst for these behaviors themselves [ 12 ]. However, while social and sexual network apps are accepted by MSM for HIV prevention and sexual health messaging [ 13 ], some companies who produce these geosocial-networking apps are ambiguous in their willingness to support HIV prevention programs [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Willingness to Use Mobile Phone Apps for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in London: Web-Based Survey

Goedel

Mitchell

Krebs

et al. 2017

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundMany men who have sex with men (MSM) use apps to connect with and meet other MSM. Given that these apps are often used to arrange sexual encounters, it is possible that apps may be suitable venues for messages and initiatives related to HIV prevention such as those to increase HIV testing rates among this population.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess willingness to use a new app for reminders of when to be tested for HIV infection among a sample of MSM in London who use apps to arrange sexual encounters.MethodsBroadcast advertisements targeted users of a popular social-networking app for MSM in London. Advertisements directed users to a Web-based survey of sexual behaviors and sexual health needs. Willingness to use apps for reminders of when to be tested for HIV was assessed. In addition, participants responded to items assessing recent sexual behaviors, substance use, and demographic characteristics. Exploratory analyses were undertaken to examine differences in willingness to use an app by demographic and behavioral characteristics.ResultsBroadcast advertisements yielded a sample of 169 HIV-negative MSM. Overall, two-thirds (108/169, 63.9%) reported willingness to use an app to remind them when to be tested for HIV. There were no significant differences in willingness to use these apps based on demographic characteristics, but MSM who reported recent binge drinking and recent club drug use more frequently reported willingness to use this app compared to their nonusing counterparts.ConclusionsMSM in this sample are willing to use a new app for HIV testing reminders. Given the high levels of willingness to use them, these types of apps should be developed, evaluated, and made available for this population.

show abstract

“…The reliance on traditional notification methods in the context of frequently reported anonymous partners and partners met online underlies a barrier faced universally by PNS in all six New England states. A 2013 Rhode Island study found that 60% of MSM newly diagnosed with HIV had used a hook-up app or website to meet sexual partners in the year prior to their diagnosis [ 14 ]. IPN has demonstrated the potential for health organizations to utilize hookup apps and websites in an effort to better engage, and reduce transmission of HIV and other STDs in this population [ 9 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public health opportunities and challenges in the provision of partner notification services: the New England experience

Magaziner

Montgomery

Bertrand

et al. 2018

BMC Health Serv Res

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundPartner notification services (PNS) are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a public health intervention for addressing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Barriers and facilitators to the partner notification process from a public health perspective have not been well described.MethodsIn 2015, a coalition of New England public health STD directors and investigators formed to address the increasing STD prevalence across the region (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) and to promote communication between state STD programs. To evaluate barriers and facilitators of PNS programs, a survey was administered to representatives from each state to describe PNS processes and approaches.ResultsOf the six PNS programs, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire had combined HIV and STD PNS programs; Rhode Island’s programs were integrated but employed separate disease intervention specialists (DIS). All states performed PNS for HIV and syphilis. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont performed services for all gonorrhea cases. Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts performed limited partner notification for gonorrhea due to lack of resources. None of the six states routinely provided services for chlamydia, though Maine and Vermont did so for high-priority populations such as HIV co-infected or pregnant individuals. Across all programs, clients received risk reduction counseling and general STD education as a component of PNS, in addition to referrals for HIV/STD care at locations ranging from Planned Parenthood to community- or hospital-based clinics. Notable barriers to successful partner notification across all states included anonymous partners and index cases who did not feel comfortable sharing partners’ names with DIS. Other common barriers included insufficient staff, inability of DIS to identify and contact partners, and index cases declining to speak with DIS staff.ConclusionsIn New England, state health departments use different strategies to implement PNS programs and referral to STD care. Despite this, similar challenges exist across settings, including difficulty with anonymous partners and limited state resources.

show abstract

Online Hookup Sites for Meeting Sexual Partners among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Rhode Island, 2013: A Call for Public Health Action

Cited by 44 publications

References 14 publications

Correlates of sexual-risk behaviors among young black MSM: implications for clinic-based counseling programs

Correlates of sexual-risk behaviors among young black MSM: implications for clinic-based counseling programs

Willingness to Use Mobile Phone Apps for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in London: Web-Based Survey

Public health opportunities and challenges in the provision of partner notification services: the New England experience

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About