Background: Black MSM experience chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC) infections at disproportionate rates. Dating apps may facilitate connections between sex and drug use networks, increasing CT/GC risk among Black MSM.

Objective: The objective was to determine the associations between CT/GC infection, party drug use (i.e., methamphetamines and/or Ecstasy use before sex) and use of dating apps to meet sex partners.

Methods: Participants were 248 Black MSM in an ongoing prospective cohort study, Understanding Sexual Health in Networks (USHINE), in Baltimore City, MD. Bivariate analyses were conducted using chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests. Logistic regression was used for hypothesis testing. Regression models adjusted for education and age.

Results: Among Black MSM, 21.8% (n=54) tested positive for CT/GC. CT/GC infection rates were higher among party drug users, although not significantly (24.1%, 13.9%, p=0.073). Among the most frequently reported dating apps, Grindr was significantly associated with CT/GC infection, (50.0%, 29.4% p=0.005). In adjusted models, party drug use was not significantly associated with CT/GC infection (OR=1.5, 95% CI 0.7, 3.4) and Grindr use increased the odds of CT/GC (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.1, 4.2).

Conclusions: Black MSM who reported party drug use and those who reported meeting sex partners on Grindr had a higher prevalence of CT/GC infection, but the difference was statistically significant only for Grindr users. Party drug use and dating app use may connect men to higher risk networks. Certain dating apps may be access points for drug use and STI interventions.