Comparing internet-based and venue-based methods to sample MSM in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Methods of collecting behavioral surveillance data, including Web-based methods, have recently been explored in the United States. Questions have arisen as to what extent Internet recruitment methods yield samples of MSM comparable to those obtained using venue-based recruitment methods. We compare three recruitment methods among MSM with respect to demographic and risk behaviors, one sample was obtained using time location sampling at venues in San Francisco, one using a venue based like approach on the Internet and one using direct-marketing advertisements to recruit participants. The physical venue approach was most successful in completing interviews with approached men than both Internet approaches. Respondents recruited via the three methods reported slight differences in risk behavior. Direct marketing internet recruitment can obtain large samples of MSM in a short time.
Raymond
H Fisher
HF
San Francisco Department of Public Health, AIDS Office, San Francisco, CA 94102-6033, USA. hfisher.raymond@sfdph.org
Rebchook
Greg
G
Curotto
Alberto
A
Vaudrey
Jason
J
Amsden
Matthew
M
Levine
Deb
D
McFarland
Willi
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult