Behavioral Differences Between Greater Boston Area Men Who Have Sex With Men Recruited Online vs. in Gay Venues

Background: Two surveillance projects have assessed behavioral HIV risk among Greater Boston Area men who have sex with men (MSM): National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) and Web-Based HIV Behavioral Surveillance (WHBS). A key objective was to compare respondents recruited in physical venues (NHBS) to those recruited in a virtual environment (WHBS).

Methods: NHBS surveyed MSM (n=788) between November, 2003 and April, 2005. Men were recruited and interviewed in venues attended by MSM. Interviews were incentivized. From April through August, 2007, WHBS2 placed ads on websites frequented by MSM, allowing click-through to an online questionnaire. Respondents (n=1071) were not incentivized.

Results: MSM recruited online were younger, less racially diverse, and less educated than men recruited in venues. Men recruited online who had both male and female partners more frequently reported recent unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with their female partners than similar men recruited in venues (48% vs. 39%). Although they more frequently reported using free condoms (72% vs. 68%), men recruited online less frequently reported receiving free condoms (66% versus 86%). While men recruited online more frequently reported knowing the HIV status of their most recent main partner (87% vs. 81%), they more frequently reported never having taken an HIV test themselves (18% vs. 8%). Conclusions: Important behavioral differences exist between men recruited online vs. in venues, suggesting a need to enhance outreach to MSM online. Consideration of these findings will ensure the inclusion of diverse MSM in future research and prevention planning.