The Internet as a Newly Emerging Risk Environment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

Several studies have shown that transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, often involves persons with multiple and sometimes anonymous sex partners.^1-10 Sex with anonymous partners typically has been initiated in bars, bathhouses, clubs, or parks.⁴ It has been suggested that the Internet may be another venue for the initiation of sexual contact.¹¹ Observations of chat rooms and other Internet sites reveal that the Internet facilitates communication of sexual desires, as well as in-person meetings resulting in sexual contact.¹² Identifying information such as full name, address, or place of work may be withheld from Internet-based sex partners. Due to the impossibility of observing this behavior from initiation of conversation to completion of a sexual encounter, it is difficult to gauge the rate at which persons engage in Internet-initiated sexual relationships. Also, it is difficult to assess, based on Internet observations, the risk of STD/HIV transmission resulting from these encounters. Our goal was to determine whether the use of the Internet to solicit sex partners should be considered a potential risk factor for STD/HIV. To ascertain whether high-risk persons seek sex partners on the Internet, we surveyed clients of an HIV counseling and testing site regarding Internet behaviors and risk for STD/HIV.