Partners Online Research Articles

Meeting Sexual Partners Online and Associations With Sexual Risk Behaviors in the Swedish Population

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.

Willingness to Use HIV Self-Testing With Online Supervision Among App-Using Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in Bangkok.

An online assessment among social media-using young men who have sex with men found that 87% were willing to use HIV self-testing with online supervision. Correlates included never tested, having higher numbers of sexual partners, and seeking partners online. HIV self-testing with online supervision may be appropriate for young men who have sex with men who have high risks and may not access venue-based settings.

Pemberdayaan Perempuan Kelompok UKM di Desa Jetis Kecamatan Bandungan Kabupaten Semarang

Jetis Village has SMEs that are engaged in modeste (sewing and embroidery) which are still implemented with conventional systems in terms of production, management and marketing. This makes SME Partners have some security when they have to face the big order season or when they have to compete with other similar SMEs that have developed modern management. UKM players who are mostly the attention in this service. This service method is 1) Observation; 2) Focus Group Discussions; 3) Dissemination; and 4) Evaluation. The results of this service are 1) activities focused on partner networking, managerial strengthening, and online marketing training through social media; 2) SME Partners understand the managerial processes that are recorded and monitored starting from financial managerial, human resources, and production raw materials; 3) SME Partners are facilitated by related agencies to have networks with raw material suppliers and potential market candidates; 4) SME Partners own and are able to assist Facebook Pages which are used for online marketing .

Cyberintimacy: A Scoping Review of Technology-Mediated Romance in the Digital Age.

With a swipe, click, or delete, people are now able to seek and sustain romance in unprecedented ways. The emerging research shows that cyberintimacy, or the phenomenon of technology-mediated communication between partners and potential romantic interests, significantly impacts the way we form, maintain, and even extinguish romantic relationships. Hence, this scoping review aims to (a) delineate how our use of technology-mediated communication is associated with specific outcomes (e.g., satisfaction and quality) throughout the romantic relationship lifecycle, and (b) identify emerging themes in the research. Adhering to Arksey and O'Mayley's six-step framework methodology, we performed a systematic database search, literature screening, and qualitative synthesis of the findings. Seventy-two studies were selected from a pool of 4,062 articles derived from a systematic search of six academic databases. The findings show that cyberintimacy has a profound impact on outcomes in three crucial stages of the relationship lifecycle-from the way people find and field partners online through the process of initiation; to the means by which partners use technology to perform relationship maintenance; and finally, the ways in which people cope with the process of dissolution by using technology to reclaim a sense of agency.

Особливості соціодемографічного «портрета» осіб, які шукають шлюбного партнера в інтернет-мережi

The aim of the article is to find out the peculiarities of the socio-demographic «portrait» of the people who are searching for a marriage partner online. Research methods and techniques are the methodological tools of the research which included the analysis and generalization of works devoted to the study of the virtual discourse of the people searching for a marriage partner online; content analysis of personal data in the context of identifying the peculiarities of language self-presentation of the users searching for a marriage partner online. Data collection for the empirical study was carried out on the site Love.ua.The sample of the research consisted of 120 Internet pages on the dating site (50 female and 70 male profiles). All obtained empirical data were analyzed separately for the sample of men and the sample of women. The significance of the difference was calculated using Fisher’s φ-test. The results of the research made it possible to determine the peculiarities of the socio-demographic «portrait» of the people who are searching for a marriage partner online. Conclusions. The identified gender characteristics in the answers to the questionnaires of a dating site reflect the real socio-demographic trends in Ukrainian society. It was found that for most men, the situation of online dating is a continuation of a real life situation, expanding its capabilities. Women mostly turn to a dating site as an alternative (compensation) to a real life situation. Adolescents and young people use the site as a «training» platform, learning to flirt and trying different tactics of behavior towards people of the opposite sex. It is investigated that when creating the self-presentation on a dating site, the author is limited by the framework of the template (questionnaire) that regulates communicative behavior, but he is given relative autonomy to create his own image. The users of a site usually avoid answering questions related to their social status, education and financial status. However, in the case of a serious attitude to acquaintance, this information is necessary, because it relates to the similarity of a social base of future partners.

Plenty of (Similar) fish in the sea: The role of social identity and self-categorization in niche online dating

Political partisanship fosters in-party dating behaviors. However, little research has explored why individuals employ homogenous approaches (e.g., political homophily) to partner selection and their role in initiating, developing, and sustaining romantic relationships. The present study posits that social identity theory (SIT) and self-categorization theory (SCT) provide explanations for this phenomenon in an online dating context. Specifically, niche online dating websites (e.g., Liberal Hearts, Farmers Only, Active Singles) provide an environment ripe with group dynamics. These websites emphasize a characteristic that a group of individuals share and associate with their self-concept. Theoretically, the social identity formed around this characteristic becomes situationally accessible and serves as the dominant factor by which individuals evaluate and categorize others (i.e., potential online partners in the present context). In an online survey experiment, participants viewed a dating website tailored to a political affiliation (congruent or incongruent to their own affiliation), selected a user's profile to browse and evaluated them as a potential romantic partner. Results revealed expectations of relationship satisfaction and willingness to date were influenced by group membership directly and indirectly through perceptions of trustworthiness. The extent to which the partner's values aligned with the group moderated this indirect effect.

HIV Risk Behaviors in Relation to Psychosocial Factors and Internet Usage Among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Men Who Had Sex With Men (MSM) in California.

Very few studies have been conducted to investigate HIV risk and protective behaviors in relation to psychosocial factors among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) MSM whose HIV/AIDS prevalence is lower than those of other racial/ethnic groups. This study, based on an online survey targeting API MSM in California revealed that API MSM often met sex partners online and that psychosocial factors (e.g., homophobia and identity with API gay community) were correlated with condomless receptive anal sex (RAS) with casual partners. In particular, an Asian cultural construct, interdependency, was correlated with condom use for RAS; that is, those who consider sex partners' health and value harmony tend to engage in safe sex. This finding sheds light on re-thinking the current over-emphasis on assertiveness and self-responsibility to keep free from HIV/STIs during negotiation with partners. Future STI prevention programs for API MSM should incorporate Asian cultural constructs and target specific risk groups.

Group sex, suicidality and online partners: implications for HIV and suicide prevention: a short report

ABSTRACT HIV-related factors and suicide-risk status were assessed among YMSM aged 18–24 years recruited through various MSM-related online social apps in Bangkok (N = 1394). The online survey assessed demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours and suicide-risk status. Measure of suicide risk was taken from the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (cut-off score of seven or higher). Among participants, 249 (17.9%) reported suicide-risk. In multivariable logistic regression, correlates of suicide-risk status included having sometimes or often ever participated in group sex (AOR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.17–2.14), having received money or opportunities for sex (AOR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.09–2.17), often seeking partners online (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.05–2.39), inconsistent condom use (AOR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.26–2.21), and self-assessed as having “medium” or “high” HIV risk (AOR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.61–3.98 and AOR=3.35, 95% CI: 1.92–5.82, respectively). Findings suggest that HIV risk behaviours shown by YMSM are significantly associated with higher risk of suicide.

A Replicable Approach to Promoting Best Practices: Translating Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Research.

Significant delays in translating health care-related research into public health programs and medical practice mean that people may not get the best care when they need it. Regarding cardiovascular disease, translation delays can mean lives may be unnecessarily lost each year. To facilitate the translation of knowledge to action, we created a Best Practices Guide for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programs. Using the Rapid Synthesis Translation Process and the Best Practices Framework as guiding frameworks, we collected and rated research evidence for hypertension control and cholesterol management strategies. After identifying best practices, we gathered information about programs that were implementing the practices and about resources useful for implementation. Research evidence and supplementary information were consolidated in an informational resource and published online. Web metrics were collected and analyzed to measure use and reach of the guide. The Best Practices Guide was released in January 2018 and included background information and resources on 8 best practice strategies. It was published as an online resource, publicly accessible from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site in 2 different formats. Web metrics show that in the first year after publication, there were 25 589 Web page views and 2467 downloads. A query of partner use of the guide indicated that it was often shared in partners' own resources, newsletters, and online material. In following a systematic approach to creating the Best Practices Guide and documenting the steps taken in its development, we offer a replicable approach for translating research on health care practices into a resource to facilitate implementation. The success of this approach is attributed to 3 key factors: using a prescribed and documented approach to evidence translation, working closely with stakeholders throughout the process, and prioritizing the content design and accessibility of the final product.

Online sex partner seeking and HIV testing frequency among young black sexual minority men

Dating apps are a novel means of delivering HIV prevention messages. Young black sexual minority men (YBSMM) app users are at high risk for HIV and could benefit from frequent testing. Understanding testing behaviors among YBSMM is critical to inform tailored prevention interventions. We analyzed testing behaviors of 273 YBSMM, comparing typical testing frequency between app users and non-users using odds ratios. Overall, testing rates were high. App users were more likely than non-users to test at least every 12 months. App-using YBSMM exhibit high compliance with testing guidelines, which may indicate future successful uptake of biomedical preventions, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

COVID-19, physical (in-)activity, and dementia prevention.

Physical inactivity is one major modifiable risk factor for dementia (especially Alzheimer's disease). Due to contact restrictions and isolation measures in response to the current COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, physical inactivity levels have increased by up to 30%, which will likely have adverse consequences for primary and secondary dementia prevention. Therefore, new interdisciplinary prevention approaches (eg, outdoor exercise; app‐based exercise with online partners) are urgently needed that account for the suspected long‐term lifestyle changes that the current—and upcoming—pandemics are likely to entail (increased use of home office, social isolation, avoidance of fitness centers and club sports, and so on).

Perception, Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Prevention, Control and Management of HIV and AIDS Amongst Online Persons Seeking Sexual Partners in Kenya

The current study was carried out to assess the level of perception, awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice (PAKAP) towards HIV and AIDS scourge amongst sexually active online partners through Nation Media Company in Kenya. The data obtained from 820 advertisements (equivalent to 820 field respondents) while considering their educational levels, age, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds etc were utilized. The Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact Tests were used to analyze data. Results showed that persons involved had a statistically significant perception towards HIV and AIDS (p < 0.05). Knowledge and awareness of HIV and AIDS were significant by level of education and economic status and not by gender, age, marital status, type of relationship sought and getting children before marriage. Attitude towards HIV and AIDS was significant by level of education (p < 0.05) and not by gender, age, economic status, marital status, type of relationship sought and getting children before marriage (p > 0.05). Practices to manage, control and prevent HIV and AIDS were significant by gender (p = 0.01) and not by age, level of education, economic status, marital status, type of relationship sought and getting children before marriage (p > 0.05). Since the results indicated PAKAP was significant (p < 0.05), efforts should be made by all stakeholders in HIV and AIDS management, control and prevention programmes to equally target persons dating through social media in order to have a wider coverage for this kind of dating is increasingly becoming the most common practice amongst the sexually active group.

Online HIV information seeking and pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness among people who use drugs

People who use drugs (PWUD) remain at high risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), both from injection and from sexual risk-taking. In 2016, 9% of 39,782 new HIV diagnoses occurred among people who inject drugs in the United States. Reaching PWUD with accurate information about and motivation for initiating pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains challenging and remains the first crucial step in the knowledge-attitude-behavior change continuum. This study seeks to contribute to closing this information gap by examining the HIV information-seeking behaviors among PWUD who are not on PrEP, so as to identify potential strategies to increase adoption of HIV prevention such as PrEP as part of overall health and related to risk-taking behaviors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2016 among HIV-negative PWUD (n = 400), 57.3% of whom reported injecting at least once in a week, chronically maintained on methadone treatment (MMT) at a large addiction treatment program. The study found that the number of hours spent online by people who use drugs was comparable to the general population. Awareness about PrEP and the seeking of HIV-related information was low in this population. Looking for sex partners online, perception of risk, having multiple partners were associated with seeking HIV information. Although using injection drugs was related to high perception of risk of acquiring HIV, it was not associated with seeking HIV information online. It is imperative to further understand the online HIV information seeking behavior of this population and provide targeted information in order to increase awareness and knowledge about HIV-related risk and methods of prevention, including information about PrEP.

Latent Profiles of Social Media Users, STI Knowledge, and Condom Use among African American Young Adults

The abundance of social networking platforms has increased the frequency and the availability for which individuals communicate with one another. The feasibility and accessibility to go online to find sexual partners pose opportunity for contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the absence of safe sexual practices. Low condom use has been reported among young adults who seek sexual partners online. African American young adults have some of the highest rates of infection for certain STIs. In order to mitigate the incidence and prevalence of STIs in at-risk populations, sexually active young adults must use condoms consistently and correctly during sexual activities. The present study sought to uncover the heterogeneity within African American young adults regarding their online networking utilization, STI knowledge, and sexual risk behavior. African American young adults (N = 236), ages 18 - 23, completed private online survey administration. Using latent class analysis, three classes were identified: Social Network Communicators (43%; N = 101), Social Networking Daters (36%; N = 83), and Media Sharers (21%; N = 52). Social Networking Daters exhibited the highest probability of using online dating sites daily, low STI knowledge, and a zero probability of consistent condom use. All three groups exhibited relatively low STI knowledge. Furthermore, having a history of STI increased the likelihood of being classified into the Social Networking Daters class relative to the other classes. Findings highlight the need to capitalize upon online platforms for African American young adults who utilize online dating sites and other online environments.

Promoting oral HIV self-testing via the internet among men who have sex with men in China: a feasibility assessment.

The HIV prevalence among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) is high, while the HIV testing rate is low. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising means of scaling up HIV testing among MSM in China, as the ability to test in private is appealing to many individuals. We evaluated the feasibility of promoting oral HIVST via the internet in the MSM population. From April 2013 to April 2014, MSM in two major cities in China were recruited for an observational study with assessment at baseline and follow-up. Data were collected via questionnaire, oral HIVST, and clinic-based HIV confirmatory testing. A total of 510 MSM were recruited at baseline and 279 (54.7%) returned for a clinic follow-up visit. Compared to MSM recruited via peer referral, those recruited via the internet were better educated, had a higher monthly income, sought and met male sex partners online more frequently, had less often tested or orally tested for HIV before, and being more likely to seek HIV knowledge or HIV intervention information online. The sensitivity of oral HIVST among MSM recruited via the internet was 92.9%, and the specificity was 96.8%. A total of 19.0% of MSM sought both male sex partners and HIV intervention programmes online. The associated factors were > 10 past male sex partners and ever testing for HIV using an oral self-test kit. All MSM who were followed up re-administered oral HIVST, yet fewer MSM recruited via the internet accepted blood retesting than other MSM. Promoting oral HIVST via the internet could be a feasible and promising approach to facilitate HIV testing among MSM in China.

Characteristics of Sex Events, Partners, and Motivations and Their Associations with HIV-Risk Behavior in a Daily Diary Study of High-Risk Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).

In the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be at high-risk for HIV and other STIs, and condoms represent the most popular, affordable, and accessible method of prevention. Although a vast body of research has explored various factors associated with condom use in MSM, fewer studies have explored situation-level characteristics that affect their decisions about sex partners and condom use. Daily diary studies are well-suited to help improve our understanding of these event-level factors in detail, including the sex events themselves, partner characteristics, and motivations. As part of a larger study using ecological momentary assessment methods, high-risk MSM completed daily diary surveys about their sexual behavior on their smartphones each day for 30days. This study explored detailed descriptive characteristics of sex events, partner characteristics, and motivations for sex and condom use, and examined whether specific aspects of these characteristics were associated with having condomless anal sex (CAS) with high-risk partners. High-risk CAS was common among MSM, with the majority of participants having met their partners online and many reporting sex the same day they met. Results showed that the odds of CAS were not higher with partners met online versus those met in other ways, but MSM were more likely to have asked online partners about their HIV status and testing history before sex. The odds of engaging in high-risk CAS was higher when MSM reported intimacy or self-assurance motives. Not having condoms readily available was a CAS motivation reported more commonly when MSM had sex with high-risk partners. Findings suggest that interventions should incorporate strategies that help MSM be safer specifically when meeting partners online and when having sex for intimacy or re-assurance. Interventions that remind MSM to carry condoms at opportune moments may also help reduce some HIV risk.

Pendampingan Komunitas Women Entrepreneur melalui Literasi Marketing Online di Jawa Barat

The number of Indonesian women entrepreneurs is increasing, including women entrepreneurs in West Java. But the obstacles faced include not getting an education to do marketing; one solution is marketing using online media. This was overcome through online marketing literacy for women entrepreneurs, especially in West Java. Electrical Engineering Study Program, Universitas Kristen Maranatha in collaboration with the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Office of West Java Province and Online partner has increased capacity in the form of online media use literacy. The method used was Participatory Action Research, namely participants were given lectures, training, practices, discussions, and questionnaires directly. The Participatory Action Research is a step in a community or social group scientifically resolves their problem by conducting direction, improvement, and evaluating decisions on the steps they take. There are six steps in Participatory Action Research, namely critical reflection, critical dialectics, resource collaboration, risk awareness, plural structures, theory, practice, and transformation. From the results of the questionnaire, it was found that the participants' abilities improved from before the training. Participants felt that this workshop was very useful and useful, which was around 90%. This indicates that the workshop was successful and beneficial for the participants

Blacks' perception of a Biracial's ingroup membership shapes attributions to discrimination following social rejection.

The present research examined if Blacks differ in how they categorize Blacks, Whites, and Black-White Biracials (Biracials, hereafter) as ingroup members and whether those categorizations predict the degree to which they attribute rejection feedback to discrimination. In Study 1 (N = 115), Black participants received rejection feedback from a Black, White, or Biracial online partner and then indicated the extent to which they perceived their partner as part of their racial ingroup and the extent to which they attributed the rejection feedback to discrimination. In Study 2a (N = 92), Black participants viewed the profile of a Biracial who self-identified as Black, White, or Biracial and then indicated the extent to which they perceived them as an ingroup member. Study 2b (N = 183) followed a similar design as Study 1 except that Black participants received rejection feedback from a Biracial online partner who self-identified as Black, White, or Biracial. In Study 1, participants considered Black and Biracial partners to be more of an ingroup member than White partners and, in turn, were less likely to attribute rejection feedback to discrimination. In Study 2, participants perceived Biracials who self-identified as White, versus Black or Biracial, to be less of an ingroup member (Study 2a, 2b) and, in turn, were more likely to attribute rejection feedback to discrimination (Study 2b). Findings suggest that Blacks' perception of a Biracial's ingroup membership affects their attributions to discrimination following social rejection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Swiping right: Alcohol, online dating, and sexual hookups in postcollege women.

The development of online dating has created a cultural shift in how emerging adults approach dating. The present study examined retrospective and event-level associations between alcohol, online dating, and sexual hookups among a sample of single, postcollege women. Participants completed baseline and 24 electronic daily diary surveys on alcohol use, sexual behavior, and method for meeting their sexual partners. We examined the influence of alcohol on sexual hookups, and how method of meeting a partner, and location prior to the hookup influenced level of intoxication during a sexual hookup. There was a within-person effect of alcohol on likelihood of engaging in a sexual hookup whereby hookups were more likely on days when women reported higher levels of intoxication relative to their average drinking. Spending time at bar/party prior to a sexual hookup was associated with higher levels of intoxication prior to a sexual hookup relative to being at other locations. Measured in the daily diary surveys, meeting a sexual hookup partner online was associated with lower levels of intoxication during the hookup relative to when meeting at bars/parties, even when including location just prior to the hookup in the model. The baseline retrospective analyses also indicated that meeting a partner online was associated with drinking less frequently before a sexual hookup relative to meeting a partner at a bar/party. Interventions to address alcohol use, method for meeting a partner, and location prior to hookups could be effective in decreasing potential negative consequences of alcohol-related sexual behavior in emerging adult women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluation of the Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. Web Portal.

The Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. (P.L.A.N.E.T.) Web portal was designed to ease access to data and evidence-based resources for cancer control practitioners and researchers focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating cancer control programs. To determine usability, applicability, and opportunities to improve the P.L.A.N.E.T. Web portal after significant changes to the portal over time. The National Cancer Institute surveyed and interviewed cancer control professionals to assess factors influencing utilization of P.L.A.N.E.T. Data were collected from May 2017 to June 2018 via partner agencies, electronic publications, and online links. Descriptive statistics with χ test were used to analyze the quantitative data and examine the relationship among variables. Qualitative interviews further informed the quantitative analysis. Of the 724 participants surveyed, 51% were users of P.L.A.N.E.T., with the majority accessing P.L.A.N.E.T. within the last 6 months. Most users felt that P.L.A.N.E.T. effectively met their needs for accessing specific cancer data, identifying evidenced-based programs, and ascertaining details on various cancer topics. There were statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics between users and nonusers of P.L.A.N.E.T., where users were more likely to have more experience in the cancer field, were older in age, and located in southern states. Results indicate that P.L.A.N.E.T. is seen as a viable and credible source for cancer control program planning and delivery. A reassessment of P.L.A.N.E.T.'s goals is warranted, which may support reaching out to new audiences, amplifying or removing underutilized resources, and adding additional resources and topics. Consideration for training and tutorials on P.L.A.N.E.T. would benefit partner agencies and build capacity for evidence-based program development.