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The Internet alert project: spreading the word about high-risk
sexual activities advertised on the Internet.
AIDS Care 2004;16(8):971-976.
Kachur RE.
Abstract
The Internet is an emerging venue for facilitating high-risk sexual behavior;
in particular, use of the Internet to seek out sex partners has been shown
to be associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, such as an increase in
number of sexual partners and an increase in anal sex, which can increase
the risk of contracting and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
including HIV. In an effort to assist health departments around the country,
the Internet Alert Project was developed to provide Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) project officers and field staff with information about
Internet-advertised, high-risk sexual activities in areas that do not have
access to sexually explicit material on the Internet. An evaluation was conducted
to determine the utility of the Internet Alert Project, its effect on knowledge
and awareness of recipients and on public health efforts. Results of the
evaluation show the alerts are a useful and valuable tool. The alerts have
helped to increase knowledge about sexually-related uses of the Internet
and have also driven public health efforts in the field. The results also
indicate the need for project areas to access information found on the Internet
in order to keep up with the ever-changing behaviors of at-risk populations.