Using Smartphone Apps in STD Interviews to Find Sexual Partners

Abstract

Objectives. Smartphone applications (apps) are increasingly used to facilitate casual sexual relationships, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In STD investigations, traditional contact elicitation methods can be enhanced with smartphone technology during field interviews.Methods. In 2013, the Monroe County Department of Public Health conducted a large, multi-infection STD investigation among men who have sex with men (MSM) using both index case and cluster interviews. When patients indicated meeting sexual partners online, disease intervention specialists (DISs) had access to smartphone apps and were able to elicit partners through access to inboxes and profiles where traditional contact information was lacking. Social network mapping was used to display the extent of the investigation and the impact of access to smartphones on the investigation.Results. A total of 14 index patient interviews and two cluster interviews were conducted; 97 individuals were identified among 117 sexual dyads. On average, eight partners were elicited per interview (range: 1-31). The seven individuals who used apps to find partners had an average of three Internet partners (range: 1-5). Thirty-six individuals either had a new STD (n57) or were previously known to be HIV-positive (n529). Of the 117 sexual dyads, 21 (18%) originated either online (n58) or with a smartphone app (n513). Of those originating online or with a smartphone app, six (29%) partners were located using the smartphone and two (10%) were notified of their exposure via a website. Three of the new STD/HIV cases were among partners who met online.Conclusion. Smartphone technology used by DISs in the field improved contact elicitation and resulted in successful partner notification and case finding.

Finding sexual partners online: prevalence and associations with sexual behaviour, STI diagnoses and other sexual health outcomes in the British population

“…Sexual health information and advice is increasingly available online, 26 27 and although our study preceded the widespread use of dating-apps, other studies have explored their potential to be used for STI prevention. For example, among MSM, dating-apps have been shown to enhance partner notification, 28 and it has been suggested that integrating HIV prevention interventions into dating-apps might allow for targeting of individuals who exhibit markers of risk in their individual profiles. 29 …”

Aplicativos móveis de intervenção como estratégia de prevenção das infecções sexualmente transmissí­veis: revisão integrativa

“…Por outro lado, apreende-se que os aplicativos móveis podem figurar-se como importantes ferramentas nas estratégias de prevenção as IST/Aids e, consequentemente, à diminuição da vulnerabilidade (16,20) . Através do aplicativo comercialmente utilizado nos Estados Unidos, especificamente na Califórnia e em Los Angeles, é possível recrutar indivíduos para estudos relacionados à prevenção do HIV e desenvolver intervenções exitosas.…”

“…Neste segmento, observam-se os reais benefícios proporcionados pelo uso dos aplicativos de prevenção, porém, estudos ressaltam a necessidade de uma maior divulgação deste serviço, uma vez que os aplicativos de busca por parceiros são mais evidentes e mais utilizados quando comparados aos de intervenção (20,22,(24)(25) .…”

Attitudes About the Use of Geosocial Networking Applications for HIV/STD Partner Notification: A Qualitative Study

“…Meeting sex and romantic partners through geosocial networking (GSN) apps is common among MSM and poses a challenge to traditional HIV/STD partner notification (Pennise et al, 2015;Phillips et al, 2014;Rice et al, 2012). GSN apps use global positioning system technology on smartphones to allow users to connect with other users based on their location.…”

“…GSN apps use global positioning system technology on smartphones to allow users to connect with other users based on their location. MSM may communicate with sex partners met through GSN apps solely through the apps and choose not to exchange any other contact information, limiting their own and health departments' ability to notify partners of HIV/STD exposure through standard notification methods (Pennise et al, 2015). Historically, partners have been notified in person or by phone, although many health departments have adapted over time to include notification through email, instant messaging, social networking sites, and sex-seeking sites, and internet partner notification has been found to be acceptable to U.S. MSM (Ehlman et al, 2010;Hunter et al, 2014;Klausner, Wolf, Fischer-Ponce, Zolt, & Katz, 2000;McFarlane, Kachur, Klausner, Roland, & Cohen, 2005;Mimiaga et al, 2008;Udeagu et al, 2014;Vest, Valadez, Hanner, Lee, & Harris, 2007).…”