Geosocial networking mobile applications use and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Southern China

A cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID22086555
AuthorsZhihui Guo (0000-0003-3104-4615, Sun Yat-sen University), Anping Feng (0000-0002-1923-8786, Sun Yat-sen University), Yiguo Zhou (0000-0002-2172-4396, Peking University), Yanxiao Gao (0000-0002-3552-052X, Sun Yat-sen University), Yinghui Sun (0000-0001-9946-9877, Sun Yat-sen University), Yuanyi Chen (0000-0002-3588-3590, Sun Yat-sen University), Xinyi Zhou (0000-0002-2388-254X, Sun Yat-sen University), Huachun Zou (0000-0002-8161-7576, Sun Yat-sen University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1063993-1063993
Publication date2023-02-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1063993
PMID36844866
OpenAlexW4319602665
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited32

Introduction Men who have sex with men (MSM) are increasingly using geosocial networking (GSN) mobile applications (apps) to socialize in the community. Our study aimed to compare sexual behaviors between app-using MSM (app users) and non-app-using MSM (non-app users), and evaluate the association between app use and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods Eligible MSM were recruited from January to August 2017 in three metropolitan cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuxi. A self-completed tablet-based questionnaire was collected about socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and app use. Blood samples were collected to test for HIV and syphilis. Rectal swabs taken by nurses and urine samples taken by participants themselves were collected to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Anogenital warts were checked by a clinician. Chi square tests and logistic regression were used to compare the prevalence of STIs and the characteristics between app users and non-app users. Results A total of 572 MSM were included in our analysis, 59.9, 25.7, and 23.4% MSM were recruited from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Wuxi, respectively. The majority of participants were 20–29 years old (61.7%). 89.0% of MSM had ever used at least one GSN app, and 63.8% MSM had anal intercourse (AI) partners found via apps. Among app users, 62.7% spent <30 min on apps per day on average in the past 6 months. Compared with non-app users, app users were more likely to have an education level of college and above [adjusted OR (AOR) 3.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65–7.03], have regular sex partners (2.40, 1.16–5.19), have two or more casual sex partners (2–5: 2.90, 1.21–6.90; ≥6: 13.91, 3.13–82.90), have condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with casual sex partners in the past 6 months (2.50, 1.28–5.04), do not know their last sex partners' HIV status (2.16, 1.13–4.21), have tested for HIV in the past year (2.09, 1.07–4.09) and be circumcised (4.07, 1.29–18.42). Prevalence of HIV (8.3 vs. 7.9%, P = 0.93), syphilis (6.9 vs. 11.1%, P = 0.34), gonorrhea (5.1 vs. 6.3%, P = 0.90), chlamydia (18.5 vs. 12.7%, P = 0.36), and anogenital warts (4.9 vs. 4.8%, P = 1.00) were similar between app users and non-app users. Conclusions GSN app users were more likely to have high-risk sexual behaviors, but the prevalence of HIV and other STIs were similar to non-app users. Longitudinal studies comparing the incidence of HIV/STIs between long-term app users and non-app users may be necessary to clarify the impact of app use on HIV/STIs risk

Anal intercourse · Chlamydia · Cross-sectional study · Family medicine · Gonorrhea · Logistic regression · Men who have sex with men · Syphilis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Reproductive tract infections research · Immunology · Internal Medicine