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326277
Geosocial-networking application use in application-using gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Atlanta, Georgia


Sunday, November 1, 2015

William Goedel, School of Medicine Department of Population Health, New York University, New York, NY
Dustin Duncan, ScD, Department of Population Health, New York University, New York, NY
Background: Geosocial-networking applications have been used increasingly among men who have sex with men (MSM) to meet anonymous partners. The purpose of this study is to describe app use among MSM in Atlanta.

Methods: MSM were recruited from Grindr, the most commonly used of these apps, to complete a cross-sectional survey (n = 92).

Results: One-third of the men reported using these apps to meet new sexual partners (38.0%), and one-fifth used them to “kill time” when bored (18.5%). Men reporting currently being in a relationship were less likely to report using these apps to meet other MSM to date or to find a boyfriend or romantic partner, but more likely to report using these apps to meet other MSM to have sex, c2(4) = 12.128, p = 0.016. Respondents had current accounts on 3.11 apps (SD = 1.84) on average, with Grindr (100%) being the most common, followed by Scruff (52.5%), and Jack’d (45.7%). Most men were most active in the late night (40.2%), and on weekends (64.1%). On average, men opened these apps 8.38 times (SD = 8.10) and 1.31 hours (SD = 1.15). The age respondents began using these apps was associated with the age at their first instance of insertive anal sex (r(80) = 0.527, p = 0.000) and receptive anal sex (r(76) = 0.527, p = 0.000).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that MSM use multiple apps and spend significant time on them. For these reasons, HIV prevention interventions could be delivered on these apps.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe geosocial-networking application use behaviors in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Keyword(s): HIV Risk Behavior, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal investigator of two New York University funded grants focusing on sexual behaviors and geosocial-networking application use in men who have sex with men in urban settings. Among my scientific interests have been the role of application environments in facilitating sexual encounters among men who have sex with men and the potential use of this environment for HIV prevention and health promotion efforts.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2035.0: Sexual Behavior and HIV