eSexualHealth: Preferences to use technology to promote sexual health among men who have sex with men and trans and gender diverse people

Esha Abraham; Eric P F Chow; Christopher K Fairley; David Lee; Fabian Y S Kong; Limin Mao; Jane L Goller; Nicholas Medland; Benjamin R Bavinton; Budiadi Sudarto; Stefan Joksic; Jessica Wong; Tiffany R Phillips; Jason J Ong

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1064408

eSexualHealth: Preferences to use technology to promote sexual health among men who have sex with men and trans and gender diverse people

Front Public Health. 2023 Jan 12:10:1064408. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1064408. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Esha Abraham^{1

2}, Eric P F Chow^{1

2

3}, Christopher K Fairley^{1

2}, David Lee², Fabian Y S Kong³, Limin Mao⁴, Jane L Goller³, Nicholas Medland⁵, Benjamin R Bavinton⁵, Budiadi Sudarto¹, Stefan Joksic⁶, Jessica Wong⁶, Tiffany R Phillips^{1

2}, Jason J Ong^{1

2

7}

Affiliations

¹ Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
² Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
³ Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Community Member, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁷ Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Objectives: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and trans and gender diverse (TGD) people are disproportionately affected by poorer sexual health outcomes compared to heterosexual populations. We aimed to explore the preferences of GBMSM and TGD for using eHealth for sexual health (eSexualHealth).

Methods: We distributed an anonymous online survey from April to August 2021among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and other people of diverse sexuality or gender (LGBTIQA+) community in Australia. The survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors, their preferences for app/website functions and preferred HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing reminders. We used descriptive statistics to summarize the characteristics of the study population. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed.

Results: Of 466 participants included, most identified as cisgender males (92.7%). The median age was 48 [interquartile range (IQR): 37-56]. For accessing sexual health-related information, 160 (34.6%) would use either a website or an app, 165 (32.7%) would prefer a website, 119 (25.8%) would prefer an app, and 33 (7.1%) would not use either platform. There was no significant difference between GBMSM and TGD people. Participants were most interested in information about STI clinics, HIV/STI hotspots, and sexual health education. Participants stressed the need for privacy and anonymity when using eHealth. Regarding reminders to test for HIV/STIs, receiving regular SMS was most popular (112/293, 38.2%), followed by regular emails (55/293 18.8%) and a reminder function on their phone (48/293, 16.4%).

Conclusion: Our study suggests a promising future for eHealth among GBMSM and TGD people. Sexual health is still a stigmatized area, and eHealth may circumvent barriers this population faces.

Keywords: bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues; eHealth (mobile health); gay; lesbian; mHealth (mobile health); sexual health; sexually transmitted infections.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Female
HIV Infections*
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Sexual Health*
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases*
Technology

Grants and funding

EC and JO were each supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership Investigator Grants (GNT1172873 and GNT1193955, respectively). CF was supported by an Australian NHMRC Leadership Investigator Grant (GNT1172900).