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HIV Risk Behaviors and the Use of Geosocial Networking Dating Apps among Men Who have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Lima, Peru: a Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract

Geosocial networking dating apps (GSN apps) are an increasingly widespread technology used by populations throughout the world to facilitate sexual encounters. Studies from a variety of settings suggest a possible association between GSN app use and HIV risk behaviors, including among sexual and gender minority populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW). However, it remains unclear to what extent GSN apps play a causal role. We explored the relationship between GSN app use and sexual risk behaviors among MSM and TW in Lima, Peru by analyzing data from a multi-site cross-sectional survey assessing both general and partner-specific sexual behaviors. We performed bivariate analysis to estimate the association of GSN app use with different individual and partner-specific factors, then fit multivariable regression models adjusting for age and education. Among 741 total participants (698 MSM, 43 TW), 64% met at least one sex partner in the prior three months using a GSN app. GSN app users were significantly more likely to report engaging in HIV risk behaviors in general, including condomless receptive anal sex, group sex, transactional sex, and sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Having condomless anal sex with a given partner was not associated with meeting that partner via GSN app. These findings highlight GSN app users as a particularly vulnerable subpopulation among MSM and TW in Lima. GSN apps could provide a useful vehicle for targeted HIV prevention efforts for priority populations in Peru.

Resumen

Las aplicaciones de citas de redes geosociales (aplicaciones GSN) son una tecnología con creciente alcance en todo el mundo usadas para facilitar encuentros sexuales. Diferentes estudios sugieren una posible relación entre uso de aplicaciones GSN y comportamientos de riesgo para VIH entre hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) y mujeres transgénero (MT). No es claro hasta qué punto aplicaciones GSN tendrían un papel causal directo. Exploramos la relación entre uso de aplicaciones GSN y comportamientos sexuales de riesgo entre HSH y MT en Lima, Perú, analizando datos de una encuesta transversal que evaluó comportamientos sexuales en general y en parejas específicas. Realizamos análisis bivariable para estimar la asociación del uso de aplicaciones GSN con diferentes factores individuales y específicos de la pareja. También aplicamos modelos de regresión multivariables ajustados por edad y educación. Entre 741 participantes totales (698 HSH, 43 MT), 64% conoció al menos a una pareja sexual en los últimos tres meses mediante una aplicación GSN. Los usuarios de aplicaciones GSN fueron significativamente más propensos a reportar comportamientos de riesgo de VIH en general, incluyendo sexo anal receptivo sin condón, y sexo grupal, transaccional y bajo influencia de alcohol o drogas. Tener sexo anal sin condón con una pareja determinada no se asoció con conocer a esa pareja mediante aplicación GSN. Estos hallazgos muestran a usuarios de aplicaciones GSN como una subpoblación particularmente vulnerable entre HSH y MT en Lima. Aplicaciones GSN podrían ser útiles para iniciativas de prevención del VIH en poblaciones prioritarias en Perú.

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Data Availability

The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code Availability

The code used to perform the data analysis for this study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This research was supported by the CFAR International Pilot Award from the University of Washington / Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (NIH P30 AI027757); the University of Washington STD/AIDS Research Training Grant (NIH T32 AI07140); and K23 MH126781. We also acknowledge support related to the use of REDCap to carry out this study (UL1 TR002319, KL2 TR002317, and TL1 TR002318 from NCATS/NIH). None of the funding bodies supporting this research had any role in the study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Elizabeth McQuade & Jeb Jones

  2. Epicentro, Lima, Peru

    Hugo Sánchez

  3. Vía Libre, Lima, Peru

    José Hidalgo, Robinson Cabello & Rosario Fernandez

  4. Vaccine & Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Ann Duerr & Alexander Lankowski

  5. Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Ann Duerr & Alexander Lankowski

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  1. Elizabeth McQuade
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  2. Hugo Sánchez
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  3. José Hidalgo
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  4. Robinson Cabello
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  5. Rosario Fernandez
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  7. Ann Duerr
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  8. Alexander Lankowski
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Contributions

EM, HS, JH, RC, JJ, AD, and AL all contributed substantively to the conception and study design for this research. As principal investigator of the primary study, AL obtained funding, drafted all study materials (including the survey instrument, consent form, and documents for bioethics review), and developed and maintained the survey in REDCap. HS contributed substantively to the development of all study materials and to participant recruitment. AD contributed substantively to the development of all study materials. EM performed all data analysis for the study and prepared the initial draft of the manuscript. JH, RC, and RF contributed substantively to participant recruitment, and to the acquisition and management of data. All authors contributed to the interpretation of results, reviewed the initial draft of this manuscript, and provided substantive feedback for revision, as well as read and approved the final version submitted for publication.

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Correspondence to Elizabeth McQuade.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest / competing interests related to their work on this study.

Ethics Approval

This research was reviewed and approved by the Vía Libre Comité Institucional de Bioética (3876 [2018a]) and the University of Washington Institutional Review Board (STUDY00005823).

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McQuade, E., Sánchez, H., Hidalgo, J. et al. HIV Risk Behaviors and the Use of Geosocial Networking Dating Apps among Men Who have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Lima, Peru: a Cross-Sectional Study. AIDS Behav (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-024-04362-7

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