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.
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: K K Fox; C del Rio; K K Holmes; E W Hook; F N Judson; J S Knapp; G W Procop; S A Wang; W L Whittington; W C Levine Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2001-06 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Cornelis A Rietmeijer; Sheana S Bull; Mary McFarlane; Jennifer Landrigan Patnaik; John M Douglas Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 2.830