Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #319  -  Holes in the canvas: What can we learn from extending regular behavioural surveillance online?
Session:
  20.3: New tools, new toys (Parallel) on Monday @ 14.00-16.00 in PR Chaired by John De Wit, Seth Kalichman
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Mr Peter Saxton - New Zealand AIDS Foundation, New Zealand
 
  Additional Authors:  Mr Peter Saxton, Dr Nigel Dickson, Dr Katrina Sharples, Mr Anthony Hughes,  
Aim:
To extend a regular non-random offline HIV behavioural monitoring survey of MSM to include men who use online dating sites, and who did not participate in offline recruitment (i.e. were missed by conventional surveillance).
 
Method / Issue:
The third biannual Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey (GAPSS) was conducted at offline sites in February 2006. At the conclusion of recruitment, an identical questionnaire (the Gay mens Online Sex Survey (GOSS)) was launched on two Internet dating sites.
 
Results / Comments:
Offline recruitment yielded 1228 men who have sex with men (MSM) over one week from a gay community fair day, gay bars and sex venues in Auckland, New Zealand. Subsequent online recruitment yielded 2141 MSM over two weeks of whom 647 lived in Auckland and had not participated in the offline survey. Men recruited online in Auckland were younger, more bisexually identified, and less gay community affiliated. These MSM were less knowledgeable about HIV, had more problematic attitudes to safe sex, lower HIV testing rates, and exhibited sexual partnering patterns that were different to men recruited into conventional surveillance. They reported a higher rate of any unprotected sex with casual partners (38.3% vs 27.2%, 27.4%, 18.9% of those having casual sex from the three venues, p<0.001) and a higher rate of any unprotected sex with regular fuckbuddy-type partners (48.6% vs 30.1%, 22.2%, 31.3% of those with fuckbuddies, p=0.004), though unprotected sex with boyfriend-type regular partners was moderate (64.6% vs 63.9%, 82.1%, 42.9% of those with boyfriends). Results after controlling for confounding will also be presented.
 
Discussion:
Regular non-random surveillance has recognised limitations. Sampling men who use online dating sites is important for a more complete understanding of factors driving HIV incidence among MSM. Opportunities for surveillance and prevention are highlighted.
 
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