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Abstract
The Internet, sex and gay men
J Elford1, G Bolding2, L Sherr2
1City University, London, United Kingdom; 2Royal Free & UC Medical School, London, United Kingdom
Background: To examine the association between seeking sex on the Internet and sexual risk behaviour among gay men in London.
Methods: In 2000 and 2001 gay men in London were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires concerning use of the Internet, history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Internet sex seekers were compared with other men, also with Internet access, who did not seek sex in this way.
Results: Of the 1289 gay men included in the analysis (201 HIV positive, 789 HIV negative, 299 never-tested), 83.9% (1082) had access to the Internet. Among those who had access, 35.1% (380) had used the Internet to find a sexual partner; HIV positive men, 33.4%, HIV negative 30.6%, never-tested 24.1% (p<0.05). Compared with HIV positive men who did not seek sex on the Internet, those who did were more likely to report seroconcordant UAI (ie UAI with another positive man) (29.9% v 11.4%, adjusted odds ratio 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6, 10.6, p<0.01). HIV negative Internet sex seekers were more likely to have had an STD in the previous 12 months (27.2% v 16.6%, p=0.001) and more likely to report non-concordant UAI in the previous 3 months (ie UAI with a person of unknown or discordant HIV status) ( 19.9% v 13.6%, adjusted OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.97, 2.39, p=0.07). For never-tested men there was no association between seeking sex on the Internet and either STD or sexual behaviour.
Conclusion: Seeking sex on the Internet was associated with recent STD and high risk sexual behaviour among HIV negative gay men in London. This study suggests that HIV positive gay men may be using the Internet to meet other positive men for unprotected anal intercourse ("barebacking"). The Internet's potential for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion merits further and urgent exploration
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WePeD6311
Suggested Citation
" J Elford , , et al.
The Internet, sex and gay men
.
Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WePeD6311"
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