How Bisexual-Identified Men Use the Internet to Seek Sex with Other Men in Ontario: Factors Associated with HIV/STI Testing and Condom Use

Abstract

Although seeking sex on the Internet may be associated with HIV risk for some men who have sex with men (MSM), little is specifically known about bisexual-identified MSM. Data were drawn from a community-based online survey of 1,830 MSM in Ontario. Among these MSM, 24.0% (n = 438) self-identified as bisexual. The authors examined (1) demographic, testing, and behavioral differences between bisexual- and other-identified MSM using chi-squared and logistic regression tests, and (2) among bisexual men, factors associated with condom use during last male anal sex using logistic regression. Bisexual men were less likely to have received sexual health information online and to have recently tested for STIs but more likely to report condom use during their last male anal sex. Among bisexual men, the only significant predictor of condom nonuse at last male anal sex was substance use. Service providers and researchers should pay attention to the differences in the risk profiles of bisexual-identified men who use the Internet to seek sex with other men to engage these men in HIV prevention efforts.