A Review of Risk Behaviors for HIV Infection by Men Who Have Sex With Men Through Geosocial Networking Phone Apps

&NA; The purpose of our review was to analyze the relationship between the use of geosocial networking phone apps and risk behaviors for HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM). The review was guided by the question: Does the use of geosocial networking apps to find sex partners increase risk behaviors for HIV infection by MSM? We searched the databases PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and LILACS, considering primary studies published up to December 2015, without any time restraint. All 14 studies that met our search criteria analyzed sexual behaviors in relation to sociocultural and economic characteristics, number of partners, unprotected anal sex, drug use, HIV testing, risk management measures, and the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases. The results indicated that use of geosocial networking apps to find sex partners may lead to new patterns of behavior and relationships that place MSM at risk for HIV.

[1]  Michael Ioerger,et al.  Social Networking Smartphone Applications and Sexual Health Outcomes among Men Who Have Sex with Men , 2014, PloS one.

[2]  Eric Rice,et al.  Associations of unprotected anal intercourse with Grindr-met partners among Grindr-using young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles , 2014, AIDS care.

[3]  P. Anton,et al.  Use of the Location-Based Social Networking Application GRINDR as a Recruitment Tool in Rectal Microbicide Development Research , 2012, AIDS and Behavior.

[4]  Tien Ee Dominic Yeo,et al.  Sexual risk behaviors among apps-using young men who have sex with men in Hong Kong , 2016, AIDS care.

[5]  A. Greenberg,et al.  Use of Geosocial Networking (GSN) Mobile Phone Applications to Find Men for Sex by Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Washington, DC , 2014, AIDS and Behavior.

[6]  I. Leal,et al.  Comportamentos sexuais de risco e preventivos masculinos: resultados de uma amostra recolhida através da internet em Portugal , 2015 .

[7]  R. Weiss,et al.  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 , 2014, Sexually Transmitted Infections.

[8]  Joseph D. Tucker,et al.  Gay Apps for Seeking Sex Partners in China: Implications for MSM Sexual Health , 2015, AIDS and Behavior.

[9]  Nicholas A. Grosskopf,et al.  Use of the Internet and Mobile-Based “Apps” for Sex-Seeking Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City , 2014, American journal of men's health.

[10]  P. Sullivan,et al.  The increase in global HIV epidemics in MSM , 2013, AIDS.

[11]  Alex Carballo-Diéguez,et al.  Successes and challenges of HIV prevention in men who have sex with men , 2012, The Lancet.

[12]  Brian Mustanski,et al.  Partner Disclosure of PrEP Use and Undetectable Viral Load on Geosocial Networking Apps: Frequency of Disclosure and Decisions About Condomless Sex , 2016, Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes.

[13]  Stefan D Baral,et al.  Global epidemiology of HIV infection in men who have sex with men , 2012, The Lancet.

[14]  Daniel Hagen,et al.  A Study of Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Abuse, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in a Sample of Geosocial-Networking Smartphone Application Users , 2018, American journal of men's health.

[15]  F. Ssewamala,et al.  Correlates of depression among caregivers of children affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda: Findings from the Suubi-Maka Family Study , 2012, AIDS care.

[16]  E. Rice,et al.  Network Influences on the Sexual Risk Behaviors of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Using Geosocial Networking Applications , 2015, AIDS and Behavior.

[17]  C. Webb,et al.  Reviewing Research Evidence for Nursing Practice: Systematic Reviews , 2007 .

[18]  J. Michael Oakes,et al.  The Future of Internet-Based HIV Prevention: A Report on Key Findings from the Men’s INTernet (MINTS-I, II) Sex Studies , 2011, AIDS and Behavior.

[19]  Sheana S Bull,et al.  Putting prevention in their pockets: developing mobile phone-based HIV interventions for black men who have sex with men. , 2013, AIDS patient care and STDs.

[20]  R. Whittemore,et al.  The integrative review: updated methodology. , 2005, Journal of advanced nursing.

[21]  R. Ellis,et al.  Implications of apathy and depression for everyday functioning in HIV/AIDS in Brazil. , 2013, Journal of affective disorders.

[22]  E. Rice,et al.  Sex Risk among Young Men who have Sex with Men who use Grindr, a Smartphone Geosocial Networking Application , 2012 .

[23]  Y. Donastorg,et al.  Risk behaviours and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in a group of Dominican gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women , 2015, BMJ Open.

[24]  D. Duncan,et al.  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 , 2015, JMIR public health and surveillance.

[25]  C. Tseng,et al.  Epidemiology, Sexual Risk Behavior, and HIV Prevention Practices of Men who Have Sex with Men Using GRINDR in Los Angeles, California , 2013, Journal of Urban Health.

[26]  S. Baral,et al.  Male sex workers: practices, contexts, and vulnerabilities for HIV acquisition and transmission , 2015, The Lancet.

[27]  M. Ekstrand,et al.  Differences in testing, stigma, and perceived consequences of stigmatization among heterosexual men and women living with HIV in Bengaluru, India , 2014, AIDS care.

[28]  S. Cook,et al.  Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behavior in HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men: An Episode-Level Analysis , 2013, AIDS and Behavior.

[29]  M. Ross,et al.  Gay Community Involvement: Its Interrelationships and Associations With Internet Use and HIV Risk Behaviors in Swedish Men Who Have Sex With Men , 2014, Journal of homosexuality.