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Use and Perceptions of the Internet for Sexual Information and Partners: A Study of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

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Abstract

The Internet has opened many doors with its accessibility to information, entertainment and web-based communities. For young men who have sex with men (YMSM), the Internet can provide access to information on relevant sexual behavior and health information, stories from other men about relationship issues, and a venue for locating potential sexual and dating partners. Understanding YMSM’s motivations for going online for information, advice or sexual relationships, is important as the Internet becomes increasingly used not only as a space to find sexual partners, but also as a venue for HIV and STI interventions. Having an understanding of the risks associated with searching for partners online, and how and why YMSM use the Internet for a variety of purposes, can inform the development of more effective Internet-based risk reduction programs. This article presents qualitative and quantitative data from the Healthy Young Men’s Study, a longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse cohort of 526 YMSM. Qualitative interviews (N = 24) described not only the prevalence of using the Internet for finding sexual partners and the possible benefits and risks associated with that practice, but also the processes and perceptions of using this mechanism. Our data indicate that YMSM used the Internet to find information related to sex and sexuality, seek friendships, sexual partners as well as “hook-ups” or casual sex. Findings were presented in relation to how YMSM researchers and interventionists can identify how to most effectively reach YMSM through online methods.

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Notes

  1. For this article, we used the 6-month follow-up (Wave 2) data which included 499 participants.

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Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Grant Number R01DA015638 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health. The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of the many staff members and project interns who contributed to collection, management, analysis, and review of this data: Cesar Arauz-Cuadra, Marianne Burns, Judith Grout, Donna Lopez, Miles McNeeley, Marcia Reyes, Katherine Riberal, Talia Rubin, Conor Schaye, Maral Shahanian, Meghan Treese, Carolyn F. Wong, and Joseph Zhou. The authors would also like to acknowledge the insightful and practical commentary of the members of The Community Advisory Board: Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (Noel Alumit), LA County Dept of Health Services (Chi-Wai Au), Los Angeles Black Pride (Ivan Daniels III), AIDS Project Los Angeles (Ray Fernandez), Youth/Trent Jackson Media Group (Trent Jackson), LA Gay and Lesbian Center (Dustin Kerrone), Division of Adolescent Medicine, CHLA (Miguel Martinez), West Coast Ballroom Scene (Ariel Prodigy), West Coast Ballroom Scene (Brion Ramses), City of LA AIDS Coordinator’s Office (Ricki Rosales), Minority AIDS Project (Haquami Sharpe), Bienestar (Pedro Garcia), St. Mary’s Medical Center Long Beach (Carlos Ruiz), IN Magazine (Ramy Eletreby), Minority AIDS Project (Kevin Williams), Minority AIDS Project (Rev. Charles E. Bowen), UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (Tom Freese).

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Correspondence to Katrina Kubicek.

Appendix

Appendix

Selected Questions From the HYM Sexual Behavior Sub-Study

As part of the larger HYM study, we are speaking with some respondents on specific topics so that we can learn more about your experiences. As you know, the ultimate goal of the HYM study is learn more about the lives of young men who have sex with men. For this particular interview, we want to ask you some specific questions about your experiences and thoughts about sexual behavior. The questions we are asking are of a personal nature—so please remember that anything you tell me will remain confidential. Be as candid as you want–nothing embarrasses me.

Information and Attitudes About Sex and Sexuality

Now, I want to know about where you first learned about sex and sexuality and what kinds of things you learned when you were growing up.

  • Where/from whom did you receive your information on sex when you were growing up? (probe: for school, friends). What kinds of things did you learn? (probe: for STDs, birth control, safer sex, anal intercourse). What kinds of things do you think should be taught in sex education in schools? (Be sure to ask about whether gay sex was covered)

  • Who and where do you go to NOW for information on sex (e.g., STDs, safer sex, different kinds of sex)? What kinds of things do you learn from this person/place? Why do you choose this person or place for information?

  • Are there issues relating to sex or sexuality that you want to learn more about but are not sure where to go to find out?

Sexual Partners

Now, I want to ask you some questions on how you choose your sexual partners. First of all, where do you meet sexual or romantic partners? (probes: bars/clubs, friends, work, internet)? Currently, how do you meet partners most often? What is your favorite way to try to meet a sexual or romantic partner? What makes this the best way for you to meet a partner? [If met on internet, probe for information on what they “chat” about before meeting in person; what attracts them to someone online; are there any differences with the sexual partners you meet online vs. in other places e.g., bars, clubs, parties, friends, etc.]. What kinds of things do you look for in a sexual partner? Thinking about your last partners, what kinds of things initially attracted you to them?

Sexual Experiences

  • I want to ask you some questions about your sexual experiences. Can you tell me about a time in the last 6 months when you had a sexual encounter that you felt was low-risk? I want to hear about the situation like who the person was, where you were, your feelings or emotions about the person/situation.

  • OK, I want talk a little more about your sexual experiences. Can you tell me about a time in the last 6 months where you had a sexual experience that you felt was high risk? Tell me about the situation and walk me through day/night—like who the person was, where you were, your feelings or emotions about the person/situation.

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Kubicek, K., Carpineto, J., McDavitt, B. et al. Use and Perceptions of the Internet for Sexual Information and Partners: A Study of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. Arch Sex Behav 40, 803–816 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9666-4

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