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Engagement With HIV and COVID-19 Prevention: Nationwide Cross-sectional Analysis of Users on a Geosocial Networking App.
- Source :
-
Journal of medical Internet research [J Med Internet Res] 2022 Sep 22; Vol. 24 (9), pp. e38244. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Sep 22. - Publication Year :
- 2022
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Abstract
- Background: Geosocial networking (GSN) apps play a pivotal role in catalyzing sexual partnering, especially among men who have sex with men.<br />Objective: To quantify the prevalence and disparities in disclosure of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and COVID-19 vaccination among GSN app users, mostly men who have sex with men, in the United States.<br />Methods: Web-based Grindr profiles from the top 50 metropolitan areas as well as the 50 most rural counties in the United States by population were randomly sampled. Grindr provides an option to disclose current PrEP use (HIV positive, HIV negative, or HIV negative with PrEP use). The free text in all profiles was analyzed, and any mention of COVID-19 vaccination was recorded. Multivariable logistic regression to assess independent associations with PrEP disclosure and COVID-19 vaccination was performed. Imputation analyses were used to test the robustness of the results.<br />Results: We evaluated 1889 urban and 384 rural profiles. Mean age among urban profiles was 32.9 (SD 9.6) years; mean age among rural profiles was 33.5 (SD 12.1) years (P=.41). Among the urban profiles, 16% reported being vaccinated against COVID-19 and 23% reported PrEP use compared to 10% and 8% in rural profiles, respectively (P=.002 and P<.001, respectively). Reporting COVID-19 vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4), living in an urban center (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8-5.7), and showing a face picture as part of the Grindr profile (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 2.3-7.0) were positively associated with PrEP disclosure. Self-identified Black and Latino users were less likely to report PrEP use (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9 and aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.9, respectively). Reporting PrEP use (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4), living in an urban center (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5), having a "discreet" status (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.5), and showing a face picture (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5-4.8) were positively associated with reporting COVID-19 vaccination on their profile. Users in the southern United States were less likely to report COVID-19 vaccination status than those in the northeast United States (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-0.9).<br />Conclusions: Variations in PrEP disclosure are associated with race, whereas COVID-19 vaccination disclosure is associated with geographic area. However, rural GSN users were less likely to report both PrEP use and COVID-19 vaccination. The data demonstrate a need to expand health preventative services in the rural United States for sexual minorities. GSN platforms may be ideal for deployment of preventative interventions to improve access for this difficult-to-reach population.<br /> (©Thomas W Gaither, John T Sigalos, Raphael J Landovitz, Jesse N Mills, Mark S Litwin, Sriram V Eleswarapu. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 22.09.2022.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
COVID-19 Vaccines
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Social Networking
United States epidemiology
COVID-19 epidemiology
COVID-19 prevention & control
HIV Infections epidemiology
HIV Infections prevention & control
Mobile Applications
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1438-8871
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of medical Internet research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36026586
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2196/38244