Sex-seeking mobile application use and risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Brazil

Autor(es)

Martinez, Edson Zangiacomi ^[1] ; Morigi, Thais Zanin ^[1] ; Galdino, Guilherme ^{[1, 2]} ; McFarland, Willi ^[3] ; Zucoloto, Miriane Lucindo ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paul FMRP USP, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Ribeirao Preto UNAERP, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] Vitalant Res Inst, San Francisco, CA - USA

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STD & AIDS; v. 31, n. 12 SEP 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

This is a cross-sectional study based on an open web survey with the primary objective to assess associations between the use of apps for seeking sex partners and vulnerabilities related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil. Participants were recruited to the study through ads posted in social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Consenting respondents completed a questionnaire on demographics, history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and risk behaviors and perceptions, including calculation of the Risk Behavior Score for HIV infection proposed by Rocha et al. Among the 859 participants, 714 (83.1%) reported they used apps for seeking sex partners. Use of apps for seeking sex partners was associated with high-risk behavior for HIV infection, self-reported syphilis, self-perception of HIV risk, and use of marijuana. The use of apps for seeking sex partners has rapidly become the norm for MSM in Brazil. The associations with STIs and risk behaviors should be seen as an opening to improve public health, presenting opportunities to promote knowledge, safer sex practices, and referral to HIV/STI screening and prevention interventions. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/00556-5 - Percepções, atitudes e práticas da população LGBTQ em relação à doação de sangue
• Beneficiário: Guilherme Galdino
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 18/19146-9 - Percepções, atitudes e práticas de homens que fazem sexo com homens em relação à doação de sangue
• Beneficiário: Edson Zangiacomi Martinez
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular