Abstract
BackgroundAdvances in communication technology may affect networking pattern, thereby influencing the dynamics of sex partnership. The aim of the study is to explore the impacts of partner sourcing through internet and related channels on exposure risk to sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV.MethodsUsing venue-based sampling, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted at saunas frequented by men having sex with men (MSM) in Hong Kong. Comparison was made between MSM sourcing partners through physical venues alone versus concomitant users of physical and virtual channels, the latter referring to internet and smart-phone applications, using bivariate logistic regression.ResultsOver a 7-week study period, 299 MSM were recruited from 9 saunas. Three main types of sex partners were distinguished: steady (46.8%), regular (26.4%) and casual (96.0%) partners. Users of sauna (n = 78) were compared with concomitant users of saunas and virtual channels (n = 179) for partner sourcing. Sauna-visiting virtual channel users were younger and inclined to use selected physical venues for sourcing partners. Smart-phone users (n = 90) were not different from other internet-users in terms of age, education level and single/mixed self-identified body appearance. Classifying respondents into high risk and low risk MSM by their frequency of condom use, concomitant use of both sauna and virtual channels accounted for a higher proportion in the high risk category (71.6% vs. 58.2%, OR = 1.81, p<0.05). In virtual channel users, partner sourcing through smart-phone was not associated with a higher practice of unprotected sex.ConclusionMSM sauna customers commonly use virtual channels for sex partner sourcing. Unprotected sex is more prevalent in sauna customers who use virtual channel for sex partner sourcing. While the popularity of smart-phone is rising, its use is not associated with increased behavioural risk for HIV/STI transmission.
Highlights
In USA and Western Europe, the first wave of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics occurred in men having sex with men (MSM) in the early 1980s [1,2]
A second wave of HIV spread in MSM was observed [3,4], alongside the reemergence of syphilis, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in MSM [5][6][7]
In this study we aimed to explore the impact of partner sourcing through internet and related channels on exposure risk to STI/HIV in the Chinese city of Hong Kong
Summary
In USA and Western Europe, the first wave of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics occurred in men having sex with men (MSM) in the early 1980s [1,2]. Virus transmission slowed down in the ensuing decade following concerted efforts in safer sex promotion in MSM communities. A second wave of HIV spread in MSM was observed [3,4], alongside the reemergence of syphilis, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in MSM [5][6][7]. Reports of STI in HIV infected MSM constituted an emerging condition of public health concern [8,9,10]. The aim of the study is to explore the impacts of partner sourcing through internet and related channels on exposure risk to sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV
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