title: Seeking and engaging in internet sex: a survey of patients attending genitourinary medicine clinics in Plymouth and in London.
abstract: We conducted a survey of patients attending two GUM clinics to evaluate the use of the internet for seeking sexual partners and for seeking on-line sexual health information. Prevalence of internet sex-seeking (ISS) was 11% (57/500) in Plymouth and 21% (50/237) in London. ISS was more common among men who have sex with men (MSM) (43/92 = 47%) than men who have sex with women (MSW) (38/280 = 14%, P < 0.0001) and more common amongst MSW than women who have sex with men (WSM) (25/350 = 7%, P = 0.007). In both samples, accessing sexual health information online was associated with ISS (Plymouth, P = 0.05 and London, P = 0.001), as was reporting more than 10 sexual partners per year (Plymouth and London, P < 0.001). It remains to be seen whether the potential sexual health promotion benefits of the internet could balance potential risks of STI acquisition.
authors.affiliation: GUM Department, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth PL6 8DH, UK. manojkumar.malu@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Malu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Challenor
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theobald
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires