Internet and email use among STD clinic patients.
BACKGROUND
Little data exist on Internet and email use among STD clinic patients for research and clinical care communication.


METHODS
An anonymous cross-sectional survey of STD clinic patients aged >/=18 years in Seattle, WA, March 13 to 22, 2006.


RESULTS
Of 489 study period patients, 251 (51%) completed the questionnaire. Participants had a median age of 30 (range 18-66) years and were 69% male, 56% white, 19% black, 9% Hispanic, and 7% Asian/Pacific Islander. Of all participants, 75% had some postsecondary education but half reported an annual income of <US$15,000. Of 251 participants, 200 (80%) reported using the Internet from a private location at least once a week, 190 (76%) had their own email that they check at least 3 times a week, and 144 (57%) were willing to receive an email reminding them to come back for a follow-up appointment if diagnosed with an STD. Men who have sex with men were more likely than women and heterosexual men to be regular Internet and email users (92% vs. 70%, P = 0.001) and to have met a sex partner over the Internet during the past year (69% vs. 11%, P <0.001). Higher educational level and income, but not age or gender, were also associated with Internet and email use, as was racial/ethnic background (86% of whites, 48% of blacks, 73% of Hispanics, 100% of Asians/Pacific Islanders, and 57% of others, P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Internet and email use are common and acceptable to many STD clinic patients for research and clinical purposes.
Mark
Karen E
KE
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98122, USA. kmark@u.washington.edu
Wald
Anna
A
Drolette
Linda
L
Golden
Matthew R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014861:Washington; D055815:Young Adult