title: Internet and email use among STD clinic patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98122, USA. kmark@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Mark
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drolette
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Golden
mesh_terms: 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