The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42751

Rachel E. Kachur, MPH¹, Mary McFarlane, PhD¹, Sheana Bull, PhD, MPH², and Cornelis Rietmeijer, MD, MPH³. (1) Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333, (2) Behavioral and Community Studies, AMC Cancer Research Center, 1600 Pierce St., Denver, CO 80214, (3) Denver Health & Hospitals Authority, 605 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80204

Approximately half of the more than 100 million Americans connected to the Internet are women. Women are using the Internet to seek information on a variety of topics including health, religion, and job opportunities. Additionally, women are using the Internet for sex. Between April and August of 2000, an on-line survey was posted to the Internet to assess the sexual health risks of meeting sexual partners on-line. Respondents answered questions regarding sex partners found on-line and off-line. This paper examines the sub-sample of women (n=544) who reported having Internet sex partners. The study found that not only are women engaging in sexual relationships with Internet partners but they also have high rates of STDs, are not regularly using condoms, and are engaging in anal, oral and vaginal sex with Internet Partners. Furthermore, many women in this sample are traveling significant distances to meet Internet sex partners. This could result in new sexual mixing patterns, thus altering the epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases. This study illustrates the need for more research on: the health risks of women who engage in sexual contact with an Internet partner; the context within which these sexual encounters are taking place; and public health strategies to provide health education and interventions to this population of women.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Recognize the STD/HIV risk among women who seek sexual partners on the Internet
• Identify the risk behaviors found among the study's sub-sample of women who seek Internet partners.
• Discuss the potential public health impact of seeking sex partners via the Internet.

Keywords: Internet, Women's Sexuality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.