Edmond P H Choi1, Janet Y H Wong2, Herman H M Lo3, Wendy Wong4, Jasmine H M Chio5, Daniel Y T Fong2. 1. School of Nursing, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address: h0714919@connect.hku.hk. 2. School of Nursing, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 3. Department of Applied Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 4. Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine and School of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 5. Department of Counselling & Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the association between using smartphone dating applications (apps) and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. Students were recruited from four university campuses in Hong Kong by convenience sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects completed a structured questionnaire asking about the use of dating apps, sexual history and socio-demographic information. Multiple logistic regressions were used to explore the association between using dating apps and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixty-six subjects were included in the analysis. Users of dating apps were more likely to have had unprotected sex with a casual sex partner the last time they engaged in sexual intercourse (aOR: 10.06). Using dating apps for more than 12 months was associated with having a casual sex partner in the last sexual intercourse (aOR: 3.21), as well as having unprotected sex with that casual partner (aOR: 13.56). CONCLUSION: We found a robust association between using dating apps and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner, implying that using dating apps is an emerging sexual risk factor. We recommend that interventions promoting the safe use of dating apps should be implemented.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the association between using smartphone dating applications (apps) and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. Students were recruited from four university campuses in Hong Kong by convenience sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects completed a structured questionnaire asking about the use of dating apps, sexual history and socio-demographic information. Multiple logistic regressions were used to explore the association between using dating apps and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixty-six subjects were included in the analysis. Users of dating apps were more likely to have had unprotected sex with a casual sex partner the last time they engaged in sexual intercourse (aOR: 10.06). Using dating apps for more than 12 months was associated with having a casual sex partner in the last sexual intercourse (aOR: 3.21), as well as having unprotected sex with that casual partner (aOR: 13.56). CONCLUSION: We found a robust association between using dating apps and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner, implying that using dating apps is an emerging sexual risk factor. We recommend that interventions promoting the safe use of dating apps should be implemented.
Authors: William Chi Wai Wong; Lin Song; Christopher See; Stephanie Tze Hei Lau; Wai Han Sun; Kitty Wai Ying Choi; Joseph Tucker Journal: JMIR Form Res Date: 2020-04-21
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