Multiple Partner Sexual Encounters among Men Using the Internet Specifically to Find Male Partners for Unprotected Sex

BACKGROUND:  MSM, particularly those who actively search online for unprotected sex, are at high risk for acquiring or spreading HIV.  This study examines the factors associated with multiple-partner sexual encounters in this population.  METHODS:  332 American MSM were sampled randomly from 16 websites.  All used the Internet to search specifically for unprotected sex partners.  Interviews were conducted by telephone and lasted 1-2 hours.  RESULTS: 42% of the men reported at least multiple-partner sexual encounter during the month prior to interview, with the "average" man who practiced this behavior engaging in it 6 times during that period.  Rates of condom use were comparably low (mean = 8%) among men who reported multiple-partner sexual encounters and those who did not, even though the risk of contracting/transmitting HIV was greater among the former than the latter.  Factors associated with engaging in multiple-partner sexual encounters included HIV-positive serostatus, recent methamphetamine use, preference for physically-rough sex, eroticizing ejaculatory fluids, polydrug abuse, higher scores on partner communication, more time spent each day using the Internet to identify potential sex partners, and perceived accuracy of other men’s online HIV serostatus information.  CONCLUSIONS: Multiple-partner sex is commonplace in this population of MSM and condom use during this practice is infrequent. HIV intervention programs focusing on MSM should address multiple-partner sexual behaviors, paying particular attention to substance abuse, arousal by ejaculatory fluids, use of the Internet usage to identify sex partners (among other factors) among this population.