Review of Interactive Safer Sex Web Sites: Practice and Potential

Abstract

The Internet is increasingly being viewed as a health promotion tool with enormous potential. However, this potential cannot be realized if Web sites do not utilize the features that make the Internet a "hybrid" mass and interpersonal communication medium. The purpose of this study was to examine interactive safer sex Web sites on a number of dimensions. A comprehensive search that included Internet search engines, links from well-known sites, and previously published reviews yielded 21 Web sites that met criteria. Web sites were coded on dimensions including targeting of the Web sites, safer sex messages presented, theoretical strategies utilized, interactivity, and other characteristics. Results indicate that a moderate amount of targeting of Web sites exists, especially on age group (e.g., teenagers); the most prevalent safer sex messages were to "use condoms" and "be sexually abstinent"; raising the perceived threat of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV was the most prevalent theoretical strategy used to motivate safer sex; and finally, a moderate amount of interactivity was found on the Web sites, with most Web sites containing 4 or 5 features out of 15 features examined. Evidence that Web sites were tailoring information or messages to individuals was not found. Implications of these results for improving safer sex Web sites and developing interventions online are discussed.

Online Sex-Seeking Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men: Implications for Investigation and Intervention

“…These findings indicate that Internet-based intervention programs could encourage younger high-risk MSM to use condoms and reduce their numbers of sexual partners. Extremely common online sexseeking in confluence with high prevalence and incidence of HIV/syphilis/other STDs and high-risk behaviors among MSM in Beijing [2,5,6,8] highlighted the urgent need to harness the Internet as a medium of conducting HIV research, intervention, information delivery, education/ skills building, and health promotion in China [2,12,26,29,30,[38][39][40][41][42].…”

Reconsidering the Internet as an HIV/STD Risk for Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…The primary implication is to target MSM with elevated rates of HIV risk factors (e.g., UAI, multiple partnerships, and concurrent substance) regardless of their online partnerships. Rather than viewing the Internet as a cause of disease, it is more appropriate to understanding it as an environment in which risks can occur, and as such, an efficient focus for HIV prevention messages and interventions [46,47]. But social venues like bars and clubs are also important risk environments that require ongoing targeting for HIV prevention activities.…”

Sexual Risk Taking Among Young Internet-Using Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…23 Existing online interventions include banner advertisements, 22 risk reduction Web sites, 67 chat room-based outreach efforts, 68,69 and interactive Web-based educational and skill-building modules. 70,71 Our results suggest that rather than focusing on the dangers of online sex seeking, Internet-based programs, similar to offline interventions, should encourage young MSM who are at risk to reduce their numbers of sexual partners, decrease the frequency at which they engage in unprotected anal intercourse, avoid alcohol and other substance use in sexual situations, and seek HIV testing.…”