Objectives: To understand the level and types of STD/HIV risk incurred by persons who use the Internet to solicit sex partners.
Methods: Cross-sectional counselor-administered risk-assessment of 616 persons seeking HIV testing in the Denver Metro Health Clinic, including questions about Internet use to solicit sex partners.
Results: Of 616 persons interviewed, 15% (93) have logged onto the Internet with the intent to seek sex partners; 66% of these 93 have succeeded in soliciting between one (28%) and 50 sex partners online (5%). A majority of those seeking partners online had their most recent sexual contact through Internet solicitation less than three months ago (55%). These solicitations tend to be risky, with 62% of those surveyed admitting failure to use a condom with an Internet partner the last time they had sex. A majority of those using the Internet are men (69%); 87% of those men who have had sex with partners met through the Internet have had male sex partners, 45% have had a known sexual exposure to HIV, and 31% have a history of STD.
Conclusions: The Internet facilitates sex-partner selection and solicitation. Data indicate that persons who use the medium are engaging in risk due to lack of condom use and exposure to partners with STD and HIV history. The number of partners solicited on the Internet suggests that it makes partner selection convenient and efficient, which may also facilitate disease transmission. Data underscore the need to devise comprehensive STD prevention strategies for Internet-based delivery.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will: 1. recognize the role the Internet plays in facilitating STD risk 2. be able to describe the differences among persons who use the Internet to solicit sex partners as they relate to STD risk 3. be able to discuss strategies to reach persons at risk for STD using the Internet
Keywords: Internet, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.