The Influence of Reasons to Choose Different Applications on Chances of Getting Sleeping Partners Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Online App Users, Bangkok, Thailand

Objectives: To explore the reasons that motivate MSM choosing the application and possibility of finding sex partners among MSM online app users and compared between two groups of participants regarding to HIV-status. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM aged 15 and older who live in Bangkok, Thailand. The data collection was conducted during Jun-Dec 2018. The target population who are HIV-infected were approached on the day of visiting at the research clinic while the HIV-noninfected were approached from two venues; at the reproductive health clinic and words of mouth. Of those who are not available to do a questionnaire at the clinic but willing to participate into the study, the questionnaires were distributed via email after the verbal consent. A structured questionnaire was test using Cronbach’s alpha (0.77). A descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The total of 201 were recruited into the study, there are 71 people who are HIV-infected, and 130 people are HIV-noninfected. The analysis was included only whom reported using online media as a platform for seeking sex partners which totally accounted for 130 including 57 of infected and 73 of non-infected. The number of HIV-negative participants had reported getting sex partners from using applications higher than HIV-positive participants approximately thirty percent.The reasons either with or without intention to seek for sex partners that convince them to choose different applications, they eventually have possibility to have chance of getting sex partners. (HIV-infected VS. HIV-non infected: p-value < 0.01** VS. p-value