Rebchook GM, Pollack LM, Kegeles SM; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. E11618.

Center for AIDS Prevention Studies/AIDS Research Institute/University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

BACKGROUND: To describe young gay/bisexual men's (YGM) Internet use and explore the relationship between level of Internet use and unprotected sex. METHODS: We recruited YGM from community venues and through peer networks for a longitudinal cohort in 3 US Southwest communities. From 11/00 to 5/01, 588 YGM were surveyed about their Internet use and sexual activity. RESULTS: Mean age was 27 (range 19-32). 67% of participants were white, 24% Latino/Hispanic, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander, 3% Black/African American and 2% Native American. 49% had at least a college degree; 50% graduated high school, and 1% had less than a high school education. 80% reported a negative HIV status; 7% had tested positive, and 12% were untested or did not know their status. Among men with non-primary partners in the previous 2 months, 33% reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), and 33% reported receptive oral intercourse to climax (UOI). 91% of the YGM reported Internet use in the previous 2 months. Median time spent online for personal use was 8 hours/week. YGM reported that they used the Internet for practical, professional, educational, social and sexual purposes. 35% of YGM surveyed looked for sex partners online, and 25% actually met, in-person, a partner found online. 38% of YGM with in-person sex partners met through the Internet reported UAI with these partners. CONCLUSIONS: YGM who spent the most time online reported the greatest number of sexual partners and the most unprotected sex. This relationship warrants further research into the development and testing of online HIV-prevention interventions, especially for frequent Internet users. The Internet plays a significant role in the lives of YGM and has great potential to provide YGM with information about sexual orientation, health and HIV.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Bisexuality
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Homosexuality
• Homosexuality, Male
• Humans
• Internet
• Interpersonal Relations
• Male
• Marriage
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexual Partners
• Unsafe Sex
• utilization

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0014406

UI: 102251904

From Meeting Abstracts