Abstract
BackgroundOnline arenas may facilitate sexual encounters. However, to what extent finding sexual partners online is associated with sexual risk behavior and sexual health outcomes is still not fully explored. MethodsA stratified randomized population based study on sexual and reproductive health and rights of 50,000 Swedes was conducted in 2017. The final sample consisted of 14,537 women and men aged 16–84 years. We identified sexual health factors associated with finding sexual partners online and estimated prevalences thereof. ResultsHaving used the internet to meet sexual partners was reported by 11% (95% confidence interval: 10.1–12.3) of men and 7% (95% confidence interval: 6.0–7.4) of women and was most common among men aged 30–44 years (13.7%). After adjustment, those reporting a non-heterosexual identity were most likely to meet sexual partners online. Meeting sexual partners online was also associated with reporting several sexual risk behaviors: condomless sex with temporary partner during the past 12 months, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.1 (3.8–6.8) for women and AOR: 6.0 (4.5–7.9) for men, and having had a test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) generated a 4-fold AOR for both sexes, STI diagnosis showed a 2-fold AOR, ever having paid or given other compensation for sex AOR: 4.8 (2.7–8.8) for women and AOR: 4.2 (2.9–6.1) for men as well as ever having received money or other compensation for sex AOR: 4.0 (1.3–11.9) for women and AOR: 6.0 (2.4–15.1) for men. Clinical translationMeeting sexual partners online was associated with sexual risk behaviors, which is of importance in tailoring sexual health interventions and STI/HIV-control activities. Strengths and limitationsFew studies of online sexual behaviors are based on population-based surveys of the general population with results stratified by sexual identity. However, the use of lifetime prevalence of ever having used the internet, smartphone, or app to meet sexual partners has limitations. ConclusionMeeting sexual partners online was associated with sexual risk behaviors in a randomized sample of the Swedish population, which is of importance to tailoring sexual health interventions.Deogan C, Jacobsson E, Mannheimer L, et al. Meeting Sexual Partners Online and Associations With Sexual Risk Behaviors in the Swedish Population. J Sex Med 2020;17:2141–2147.
Highlights
Sweden is a highly digitalized country where 99% of residents aged 16e65 years use the internet daily or regularly, and basically, all use a smartphone.[1]
Meeting sexual partners online was associated with sexual risk behaviors in a randomized sample of the Swedish population, which is of importance to tailoring sexual health interventions
Online arenas may facilitate sexual encounters, but to what extent meeting partners online is associated with sexual risk behaviors and sexual health outcomes is still not fully explored among the Swedish general population
Summary
Sweden is a highly digitalized country where 99% of residents aged 16e65 years use the internet daily or regularly, and basically, all use a smartphone.[1] Online arenas may facilitate sexual encounters, but to what extent meeting partners online is associated with sexual risk behaviors and sexual health outcomes is still not fully explored among the Swedish general population. Internet facilitates making contact with people in general and has provided arenas were like-minded people are enabled to communicate. This has benefited minority groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, greatly, regardless of place of residence and without needing to physically leave home. To what extent finding sexual partners online is associated with sexual risk behavior and sexual health outcomes is still not fully explored
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
