HIV and sexually transmitted infection risk behaviors among men seeking sex with men on-line.

Recent indications suggest that safer sex behavioral trends among men who have sex with men (MSM) may have reversed. 1,2 The Internet is an effective information exchange forum that allows for instant access to large groups, facilitating sex partner solicitation and increasing risk for sexually transmitted infec­ tions (STIs). 3–5 We report here on data collected from a survey posted on www.SexQuiz.org in 2000 documenting demographic information and HIV/STI-related risk behaviors involving non-Internet as well as Internet partners. Data were gathered on 3248 male respondents who were 18 years or older and living in North America at the time of the survey. MSM completing the survey were youn­ ger than non-MSM, and higher proportions of these individuals had had their first sexual en­ counter by the age of 18 years; more non-MSM than MSM were White. The respondents were predominantly White, aged 26 to 40 years, em­ ployed, and well educated. Most had health in­ surance coverage. Table 1 presents risk behavior compar­ isons for the entire sample as well as for MSM and non-MSM. More MSM reported having had sex with an Internet partner than did non-MSM, and MSM reported a greater mean number of Internet partners, both in the pre­ vious 12 months and in their lifetime. Travel­ ing more than 160 km (100 mi) to meet In­ ternet partners was less common among MSM than non-MSM.