The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The prevalence of men who have sex with men (MSM)-related human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is increasing worldwide [1, 2]. Advances in communication technology now offer MSM different opportunities to meet sexual partners. In recent years, a number of global positioning system (GPS)-equipped smart phone applications (geosocial networking smartphone applications; apps) have been developed (e.g., Jack’d, Scruff, Blued, and Grindr) that are popular tools in the MSM community [3]. These apps allow subscribers to create individualized profiles, share photos, and send their location. Users can also send instant messages to other users who are in close (or least identified) proximity, effectively allowing MSM to arrange sexual encounters. From 2009 to 2013, these apps have been used increasingly among MSM. Approximately 40% of MSM reported using these apps to seek sex partners in 2013 [4]. The first of these apps, Grindr (launched in 2009), reported it had reached approximately 6 million users around the world in 2013, with an estimated 8000 new users every day [3, 5].

With the proliferation of apps, increased use of these apps may facilitate finding casual sexual partners, resulting in unsafe sexual practices [6]. Prior work has shown that MSM who use these apps (app-users) tend to have more sexual encounters, more frequent anal intercourse, more unprotected sex, and a larger number of sexual partners known to have HIV and other STIs [7‐10]. This increases their risk for HIV and STIs acquisition/transmission, compared with MSM who used different channels to seek sex partners (non-users) [11, 12]. However, evidence among these studies is inconsistent. Some studies suggested that app-users may be more likely to practice safer sex with these partners than are non-users [5, 13], and that use of apps was not associated with increased risky behavior for STIs transmission [14]. Therefore, a comprehensive summary of apps usage and their associated effects on sexual health is warranted.

The aims of the present study were to: (1) examine the characteristics of app-users; (2) summarize the existing evidence on the use of apps and associated sexual behaviors among app-users; and (3) compare STIs diagnoses in apps-users with those of non-users.

This was a quantitative study estimating the prevalence of HIV infection among app-users and non-users, and comparing self-reported STIs diagnoses between the two groups. In addition, we investigated app use and sexual behaviors of app-users. The prevalence of HIV infection, substance use, and HIV testing varied widely among app-users and non-users. We found that app-users engaged in several unsafe sexual behaviors. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that app-users were more likely to have syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia diagnosis than were non-users.

Since the early 2000s, researchers have noted that partnerships pursued through online interactions were different from venue-based interactions. Advances in communication technology may affect the sexual partnership [14]. Many studies have reported that because apps provide MSM with more efficient ways to seek sexual partners compared with other methods, apps were more likely to facilitate higher risk sexual behaviors [35, 38]. Our study was not exceptional for finding that risky sexual behaviors (e.g., greater number of sexual partners, unprotected sex) were common among app-users. Apps potentially foster risky behavior because users could carry their smart phones with them at all times. A notable finding was that app-users were more inclined to be diagnosed with STIs than were non-users. Higher prevalence of risky sexual behaviors and higher risk of STIs infections may put app-users at greater risk for HIV transmission. However, we found that the two groups were similar with respect to reported HIV diagnosis. Ko et al. found that HIV-positive MSM were more likely to use apps to seek partners. HIV-positive MSM were concerned with maintaining his attractiveness in apps, and therefore implied his serostatus in his app profile. Therefore, apps might provide these men easier channels to hide HIV positive status [27]. Taken together, the advancements in apps and the increase in MSM using these apps may produce more adverse effects on sexual health. The data demonstrate the need for increased app-based prevention interventions among MSM.

Our study found high prevalence of recreational drug use among app-users. Substance use and misuse are prevalent among MSM [46], especially alcohol and recreational drugs [47]. The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance showed that 42% of MSM used substances recreationally [48]. It has been reported that the use of substances was associated with HIV-related sexual risk behaviors [25, 46]. Therefore, substance use may a strong predictor of sexual risk behaviors.

We found a high rate of lifetime HIV testing among both app-users and non-users, and a slightly higher rate of HIV testing in the previous 12 months among app-users compared with non-users. It appears that app-users may be likely to utilize health resources, because MSM engaging in risky behaviors may recognize the need for HIV testing [49]. As has been validated by several studies, app-users were more likely to engage in unsafe sex [7‐9]. Therefore, for app-users, frequent testing might be associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Nevertheless, we cannot verify this association in the present study. In fact, several studies reported that many app-users never underwent HIV testing [33, 40]. A study conducted in Peru reported that 60% of MSM with newly diagnosed HIV infection had not been tested within 12 months [49], suggesting that non-testers might be at high risk for infection. This is a significant issue, because infected non-testers can unknowingly transmit HIV to their partners [50, 51], resulting in an increasing rate of HIV infection. This suggests that, integrating HIV testing into routine medical care might increase testing in high-risk MSM.

Our study had a few limitations. First, most studies were descriptive, without a comparable group (referred to non-users). This presented an obstacle for making comparisons between app-users and non-users. Second, the association between app use and sexual risk behaviors/STIs may not imply a causal relation.

Increased app use among MSM has been linked to casual sexual partners and unsafe sex. We suspect that app based dating offers avenues for more discreet dating that offers a possibility of increases in STIs. This situation has important implications for HIV prevention. Our analyses support the notion that MSM who seek sexual partners using apps may be more likely to have STIs infections than are non-users. As smartphone use increases, acceptable mobile platforms for HIV prevention are recommended. In addition, more studies, especially longitudinal studies, are needed to confirm the relative risk between app-user and non-user..