Men Who Specifically Seek Unprotected Sex Partners Via the Internet: HIV Risk Differences Between HIV-Negative and HIV-Indifferent Men

Purpose: Recent research has revealed that men who have sex with men (MSM) who wish to engage in unprotected sex increasingly are turning to internet websites to identify potential partners. This paper compares HIV risk practices/preferences among two MSM groups who use the internet to locate sex partners: (1) those who are unsure about their HIV serostatus and who are indifferent about the HIV serostatus of their partners, (2) those who are HIV-negative and seeking HIV-negative partners.

Methods: A content analysis was conducted during 2006 and 2007 using a popular internet website targeting MSM who wish to locate unprotected sex partners. 1,316 profiles were coded, selected randomly by ZIP code. Data collected include age, race, psychosocial factors underlying risk, and numerous sexual risk behaviors/preferences.

Results: Men who did not know their HIV serostatus and did not care about potential partners' serostatus consistently reported greater risk behaviors and risk preferences compared to HIV-negative men who sought HIV-negative partners. The former were more likely to: want to receive semen orally (OR=1.84) or anally (OR=2.41), seek multiple sex partners (OR=2.96), overtly dislike condoms (OR=3.59), refuse penile withdrawal prior to internal ejaculation (OR=3.81), and want uninhibited sex (OR=4.77).

Conclusions: MSM who use the internet to locate sex partners and who are unsure about their HIV serostatus and who do not care about the serostatus of their partners are seeking high rates of risky sexual practices. HIV interventions that encourage HIV testing, partner communication, and serostatus disclosure are needed.