title: Use of new technologies to notify possible contagion of sexually-transmitted infections among men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the association between searching for sexual partners' on the Internet and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV infection, together with current low levels of partner notification (PN), justifies a study to explore the intention to use new communication technologies for PN in Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional surveys were performed: the first was administered online to visitors to web pages where the survey was advertised; the second was administered on paper to patients attending an STI Unit and centres similar to Community-Based Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population comprised 1578 Spanish residents (median age, 34 years [range: 18 to 74]); 84% lived in urban areas, and 69% reported searching for sexual partners on the Internet. Thirty-seven per cent would be willing to use a website for PN, 26% did not know if they would use one, and 37% would not want to use one. The main reasons for not intending to notify STI/HIV were "shame or fear" (stable partner) and "not knowing how to contact them" (casual partner). The preferred method of notification was face to face (73%) for both stable and casual partners, although using new technologies (Short Messaging System, e-mail, web page, phone applications) was widely accepted for notifying casual partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fighting stigma and promoting alternative methods of PN among MSM and health professionals through new technologies could increase the frequency of PN. This approach will improve early detection and reduce transmission in Spain.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) -Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Spain; Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain. Electronic address: dcarnice@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carnicer-Pont
authors.affiliation: STI Unit, Special Programme Infectious Diseases Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes University Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: María Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Barbera-Gracia
authors.affiliation: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) -Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Spain; Stop Sida, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Percy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernández-Dávila
authors.affiliation: Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: García de Olalla
authors.affiliation: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) -Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Spain; Stop Sida, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Spain.
authors.forename: Constanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacques-Aviñó
authors.affiliation: STI Unit, Special Programme Infectious Diseases Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes University Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: María Pilar
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Saladié-Martí
authors.affiliation: STI Unit, Special Programme Infectious Diseases Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes University Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gosch-Elcoso
authors.affiliation: STI Unit, Special Programme Infectious Diseases Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes University Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Encarna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arellano Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) -Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Spain; Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casabona
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003151:Community Health Centers; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D061108:Social Media; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013689:Telephone; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Communication networks; Infección de transmisión sexual/VIH; Internet; Notificación a las parejas sexuales; Partner notification; Redes de comunicación; Sexually Transmitted Infection/HIV