The Use of Geo-Social Networking Applications to Find Sex Partners and Associated High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Lima, Peru Open Access
McQuade, Elizabeth (Summer 2021)
Published
Abstract
Background: In Peru, men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, and declines in HIV incidence remain short of UNAIDS targets for ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. Simultaneously, geo-social networking (GSN) apps have become increasingly popular for partner seeking, particularly among young MSM in the capital city of Lima, who continue to experience high risk of HIV. This study investigated the association between HIV risk behaviors and the use of GSN apps by examining the prevalence of condomless anal intercourse (CAI) among sexual partners met via GSN apps as compared with partners met by other means.
Methods: This study analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey of MSM in Lima, Peru. Participants were recruited either by online outreach via local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) social media networks or in-person at an HIV clinic. Participants reported on up to two sexual partners met within the previous three months. Sexual partner was the unit of analysis. The primary exposure was meeting venue (GSN app, non-GSN online venue, or offline) and the primary outcome was CAI. We used a binomial regression model with a log link to evaluate association between meeting venue and CAI adjusting for covariates. A generalized estimating equation was used to address any correlation generated by multiple sexual partners reported by a single individual.
Results: Overall, 1235 sexual partners were reported by 672 participants, 46% of whom were met using a GSN app. Participants reported engaging in CAI with 42% of partners met using a GSN app. The prevalence of CAI was slightly lower with sex partners met using GSN apps as compared to sex with partners met offline, though the association was not statistically significant (PR: 0.9 95% CI: 0.8 – 1.1). Sex with partners met via a non-GSN online venue was slightly more likely to include CAI than with partners met offline (PR: 1.1 95% CI 0.9 – 1.3), but the association also was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: CAI was slightly less prevalent among sexual partners who met via a GSN app as compared to sexual partners that met via other venues, though the association was not statistically significant. Even so, due to the pervasiveness of GSN apps for partner seeking among a high-risk population, this techonology should be considered for future investigation as a tool for HIV prevention.
Table of Contents
Introduction...................1 Background...................3 Methods...................5 Results...................7 Discussion...................9 Conclusion...................12 Further Conclusions...................13 References....................15 Tables...................18
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The Use of Geo-Social Networking Applications to Find Sex Partners and Associated High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Lima, Peru () | 2021-07-25 19:19:26 -0400 |
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