Contextual factors in geosocial-networking smartphone application use and engagement in condomless anal intercourse among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who use Grindr
William C. Goedel A B C F and Dustin T. Duncan A B D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Population Health, School of Medicine, New York University, Spatial Epidemiology Lab, 227 East 30th Street, Cube 628A, New York, NY 10016, USA.
B College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
C Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
D Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA.
E Population Center, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
F Corresponding author. Email: william.goedel@nyu.edu
Sexual Health 13(6) 549-554 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH16008
Submitted: 17 January 2016 Accepted: 9 August 2016 Published: 7 October 2016
Abstract
Background: Geosocial-networking smartphone applications (apps) have been used increasingly by men who have sex with men (MSM) to meet new sexual partners. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between contexts of app use (e.g. using apps when drinking) and condomless anal intercourse among a sample of MSM who use these apps. Methods: MSM (n = 174) in New York City were recruited through Grindr, a geosocial-networking app popular among MSM, using broadcast advertisements asking MSM to complete an Internet-based survey about their app use and sexual behaviours. Log-binomial regression models were fit to assess the association between each of the six app-use contexts (e.g. using apps when lonely, when drinking) and engagement in condomless insertive and receptive anal intercourse with one or more partners in the past 3 months. Results: Engagement in condomless receptive and insertive anal intercourse with one or more partners in the preceding 3 months was common (39.7% and 43.1% respectively) and was associated with several app-use contexts. For example, significant associations (P < 0.05) were observed between alcohol and other drug use when using these apps and engagement in condomless receptive and insertive anal intercourse. Conclusion: Given that 57.5% of respondents had engaged in condomless anal intercourse in the preceding 3 months and the associations of app-use contexts with condomless sexual behaviours, these findings suggest that reductions in substance use may lead to safer sexual practices among MSM who use apps to meet sexual partners.
Additional keywords: gay men’s health, sexual risk behaviours, substance use, transactional sex.
References
[1] Smith A. Smartphone ownership – 2013 update. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2013. Available online at: http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media/Files/Reports/2013/PIP_Smartphone_adoption_2013_PDF.pdf [verified 17 August 2016].[2] Grov C, Ventuneac A, Rendina HJ, Jimenez RH, Parsons JT. Perceived importance of five different health issues for gay and bisexual men: implications for new directions in health education and prevention. Am J Men Health 2013; 7 274–84.
| Perceived importance of five different health issues for gay and bisexual men: implications for new directions in health education and prevention.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[3] Grosskopf NA, LeVasseur MT, Glaser DB. Use of the internet and mobile-based “apps” for sex-seeking among men who have sex with men in New York City. Am J Men Health 2014; 8 510–20.
| Use of the internet and mobile-based “apps” for sex-seeking among men who have sex with men in New York City.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[4] Beymer MR, Weiss RE, Bolan RK, Rudy ET, Bourque LB, Rodriguez JP, Morisky DE. Sex on demand: geosocial networking phone apps and risk of sexually transmitted infections among a cross-sectional sample of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles county. Sex Transm Infect 2014; 90 567–72.
| Sex on demand: geosocial networking phone apps and risk of sexually transmitted infections among a cross-sectional sample of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles county.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24926041PubMed |
[5] Phillips II G, Magnus M, Kuo I, Rawls A, Peterson J, Jia Y, Opoku J, Greenberg AE. Use of geosocial networking (GSN) mobile phone applications to find men for sex by men who have sex with men (MSM) in Washington, DC. AIDS Behav 2014; 18 1630–7.
| Use of geosocial networking (GSN) mobile phone applications to find men for sex by men who have sex with men (MSM) in Washington, DC.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[6] Goedel WC, Duncan DT. Geosocial-networking app usage patterns of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: survey among users of Grindr, a mobile dating app. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2015; 1 e4
| Geosocial-networking app usage patterns of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: survey among users of Grindr, a mobile dating app.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27227127PubMed |
[7] Rendina HJ, Jimenez RH, Grov C, Ventuneac A, Parsons JT. Patterns of lifetime and recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men in New York City who use Grindr. AIDS Behav 2014; 18 41–9.
| Patterns of lifetime and recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men in New York City who use Grindr.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23925515PubMed |
[8] Winetrobe H, Rice E, Bauermeister J, Petering R, Holloway IW. Associations of unprotected anal intercourse with Grindr-met partners among Grindr-using young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles. AIDS Care 2014; 26 1303–8.
| Associations of unprotected anal intercourse with Grindr-met partners among Grindr-using young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24754563PubMed |
[9] Morris M, Kretzschmar M. Concurrent partnerships and the spread of HIV. AIDS 1997; 11 641–8.
| Concurrent partnerships and the spread of HIV.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2s3mt1KlsA%3D%3D&md5=2b8f8d81a645304e45e178f537f5dd32CAS | 9108946PubMed |
[10] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV infection risk, prevention, and testing behaviors among men who have sex with men – National HIV behavioral surveillance, 20 US cities, 2014. Atlanta: National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention; 2016.
[11] Mustanski B. Moderating effects of age on the alcohol and sexual risk taking association: an online daily diary study of men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav 2008; 12 118–26.
| Moderating effects of age on the alcohol and sexual risk taking association: an online daily diary study of men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18034298PubMed |
[12] Colfax G, Vittinghoff E, Husnik MJ, McKirnan D, Buchbinder S, Koblin B, Celum C, Chesney M, Huang Y, Mayer K, Bozeman S, Judson FN, Bryant KJ, Coates TJ, EXPLORE Study Team. Substance use and sexual risk: a participant-and episode-level analysis among a cohort of men who have sex with men. Am J Epidemiol 2004; 159 1002–12.
| Substance use and sexual risk: a participant-and episode-level analysis among a cohort of men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15128613PubMed |
[13] Purcell DW, Parsons JT, Halkitis PN, Mizuno Y, Woods WJ. Substance use and sexual transmission risk behavior of HIV-positive men who have sex with men. J Subst Abuse 2001; 13 185–200.
| Substance use and sexual transmission risk behavior of HIV-positive men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MvpslGmsg%3D%3D&md5=ffc1788f26cdce0e679aacd210aa1d50CAS | 11547619PubMed |
[14] Goedel WC, Halkitis PN, Greene RE, Hickson DA, Duncan DT. HIV risk behaviors, perceptions, and testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness/use in Grindr-using men who have sex with men in Atlanta, Georgia. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2016; 27 133–42.
| HIV risk behaviors, perceptions, and testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness/use in Grindr-using men who have sex with men in Atlanta, Georgia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26708834PubMed |
[15] Barros AJ, Hirakata VN. Alternatives for logistic regression in cross-sectional studies: an empirical comparison of models that directly estimate the prevalence ratio. BMC Med Res Methodol 2003; 3 21
| Alternatives for logistic regression in cross-sectional studies: an empirical comparison of models that directly estimate the prevalence ratio.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14567763PubMed |
[16] Deddens J, Petersen M. Approaches for estimating prevalence ratios. Occup Environ Med 2008; 65 501–6.
| Approaches for estimating prevalence ratios.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[17] Evert DL, Oscar-Berman M. Alcohol-related cognitive impairments: an overview of how alcoholism may affect the workings of the brain. Alcohol Health Res World 1995; 19 89–96.
[18] Newcomb ME, Clerkin EM, Mustanski B. Sensation seeking moderates the effects of alcohol and drug use prior to sex on sexual risk in young men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav 2011; 15 565–75.
| Sensation seeking moderates the effects of alcohol and drug use prior to sex on sexual risk in young men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20960048PubMed |
[19] Steele CM, Josephs RA. Alcohol myopia: its prized and dangerous effects. Am Psychol 1990; 45 921–33.
| Alcohol myopia: its prized and dangerous effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3M%2FitlKquw%3D%3D&md5=bd5a0c6579e6eafb7d802e28d107e52dCAS | 2221564PubMed |
[20] Hoaken PN, Pihl RO. The effects of alcohol intoxication on aggressive responses in men and women. Alcohol Alcohol 2000; 35 471–7.
| The effects of alcohol intoxication on aggressive responses in men and women.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXnvV2ms7w%3D&md5=e9d05b0a85611124018293055de17cc2CAS | 11022022PubMed |
[21] Simons JS, Maisto SA, Wray TB, Emery NN. Acute effects of intoxication and arousal on approach/avoidance biases toward sexual risk stimuli in heterosexual men. Arch Sex Behav 2016; 45 43–51.
| Acute effects of intoxication and arousal on approach/avoidance biases toward sexual risk stimuli in heterosexual men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25808719PubMed |
[22] Tart CT. Marijuana intoxication: common experiences. Nature 1970; 226 701–4.
| Marijuana intoxication: common experiences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE3c7otVKruw%3D%3D&md5=82ce0eb6282ce9283a256ea7ff996a90CAS | 5443246PubMed |
[23] Weber AE, Craib KJ, Chan K, Martindale S, Miller ML, Schechter MT, Hogg RS. Sex trade involvement and rates of human immunodeficiency virus positivity among young gay and bisexual men. Int J Epidemiol 2001; 30 1449–54.
| Sex trade involvement and rates of human immunodeficiency virus positivity among young gay and bisexual men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38%2Fpt1anug%3D%3D&md5=20b1305b9970267d3a5c3b42f407b0aeCAS | 11821362PubMed |
[24] Bacon O, Lum P, Hahn J, Evans J, Davidson P, Moss A, Page-Shafer K. Commercial sex work and risk of HIV infection among young drug-injecting men who have sex with men in San Francisco. Sex Transm Dis 2006; 33 228–34.
| Commercial sex work and risk of HIV infection among young drug-injecting men who have sex with men in San Francisco.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16565643PubMed |
[25] Robertson MJ, Clark RA, Charlebois ED, Tulsky J, Long HL, Bangsberg DR, Moss AR. HIV seroprevalence among homeless and marginally housed adults in San Francisco. Am J Public Health 2004; 94 1207–17.
| HIV seroprevalence among homeless and marginally housed adults in San Francisco.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15226145PubMed |
[26] Parsons JT, Koken JA, Bimbi DS. The use of the internet by gay and bisexual male escorts: sex workers as sex educators. AIDS Care 2004; 16 1021–35.
| The use of the internet by gay and bisexual male escorts: sex workers as sex educators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2crktVSktQ%3D%3D&md5=ae58cff4ef1bdc132d2450c4b2c18429CAS | 15511734PubMed |
[27] Adam BD, Husbands W, Murray J, Maxwell J. Silence, assent and HIV risk. Cult Health Sex 2008; 10 759–72.
| Silence, assent and HIV risk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18975225PubMed |
