HIV Sexual Risk Behavior by Men Who use the Internet to Seek Sex with Men: Results of the Men’s INTernet Sex Study-II (MINTS-II)

• Published in: AIDS and behavior Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 488 - 498
• Main Authors: Simon Rosser, B. R., Oakes, J. Michael, Horvath, Keith J., Konstan, Joseph A., Danilenko, Gene P., Peterson, John L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; AIDS; Behavior; Demographics; Disease control; Disease prevention; Epidemics; Ethnicity; Harm Reduction; Health Psychology; HIV; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Homosexual Relationships; Homosexuality, Male; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infectious Diseases; Internet; Internet - utilization; Logistic Models; Male; Males; Mate Selection; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Minority & ethnic groups; Original Research; Public Health; Race; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Sexually transmitted diseases; Socioeconomic Factors; STD; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trends; Unsafe Sex; Young Adult; Minneapolis Minnesota; United States > US; Homosexuality; Demographic factors; Unprotected sex; Internet; High-risk sex; HIV seropositivity
• ISSN: 1090-7165; 1573-3254
• DOI: 10.1007/s10461-009-9524-3

This study sought to identify the magnitude of HIV risk in a diverse sample of Men who use the Internet to seek Sex with Men (MISM), and test if specific subpopulations are at sufficiently increased risk to warrant tailored interventions. A sample of 2,716 American MISM, stratified by race/ethnicity, completed an Internet survey of online and offline sex seeking behavior during the last 3 months. Across most demographics, a minority of MISM reported unprotected anal intercourse with male partners (UAIMP). Across all demographics, risk of UAIMP substantially increased with partners met online. Other predictors of increased online partner risk include being 30–39 years old, having children, not living in the Northeast, and low income. HIV-positive men and African Americans reported increased online and offline partner risk. To address higher risk of UAIMP, online HIV interventions should prioritize the needs of MISM, especially HIV-positive men, with content focused on online-mediated liaisons.