Abstract
We conducted an online behavioral survey to estimate the prevalence of online sex-seeking and substance use behaviors and
to compare risky behaviors among men using different venues to seek sex with men. A cross-sectional online survey, the Asia
Internet MSM Sex Survey, was conducted online from January 1 to February 28, 2010. Of the 1,645 participants enrolled from
Taiwan, 72.4% reported the Internet as the main way of seeking sexual partners, 73.9% had had sex with partners found online,
and 16% had used recreational drugs in the previous 6 months. There was no evidence to suggest that men who looked for sex
through the Internet were more likely to engage in unprotected anal intercourse with their casual partners than those using
other gay venues. Having had online sex partners in the previous 6 months was significantly associated with being young [adjusted
odd ratio (AOR) = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99], having had no steady partners in the previous year (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15–0.39),
having had more than five partners in the previous 6 months (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI: 2.95–7.11), having used recreational drugs
in the previous 6 months (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.30–3.87), and having had an STI in the previous 6 months (AOR = 4.24, 95%
CI: 1.59–11.30). In conclusion, because the Internet is a popular meeting place for MSM in Taiwan, effective and targeted
prevention programs should be developed to minimize the HIV transmission risk in the Internet era.
to compare risky behaviors among men using different venues to seek sex with men. A cross-sectional online survey, the Asia
Internet MSM Sex Survey, was conducted online from January 1 to February 28, 2010. Of the 1,645 participants enrolled from
Taiwan, 72.4% reported the Internet as the main way of seeking sexual partners, 73.9% had had sex with partners found online,
and 16% had used recreational drugs in the previous 6 months. There was no evidence to suggest that men who looked for sex
through the Internet were more likely to engage in unprotected anal intercourse with their casual partners than those using
other gay venues. Having had online sex partners in the previous 6 months was significantly associated with being young [adjusted
odd ratio (AOR) = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99], having had no steady partners in the previous year (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15–0.39),
having had more than five partners in the previous 6 months (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI: 2.95–7.11), having used recreational drugs
in the previous 6 months (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.30–3.87), and having had an STI in the previous 6 months (AOR = 4.24, 95%
CI: 1.59–11.30). In conclusion, because the Internet is a popular meeting place for MSM in Taiwan, effective and targeted
prevention programs should be developed to minimize the HIV transmission risk in the Internet era.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-9908-8
- Authors
- Nai-Ying Ko, Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
- Stuart Koe, Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM), Bangkok, Thailand
- Hsin-Chun Lee, Center of Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
- Cheng-Fang Yen, Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Wen-Chien Ko, Center of Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
- Su-Ting Hsu, Department of Psychiatry, Chang-Gang Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung, & School of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Tao-Yuan, 123 Ta-Pei Rd., Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung City, 83301 Taiwan
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002