2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

336649
Condoms Aren't on the Menu: The STI and HPV Implications of Oral Sex Risk Behaviors of Partners Meeting on Apps and/or Offline


Monday, November 2, 2015

Shana Green, MPH, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Rachel Logan, MPH, Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
DeAnne Turner, MPH, College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stephanie L. Marhefka, PhD, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health; Chiles Center, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Background: Despite the popularity of mobile dating apps, little is known about oral sex risk behaviors of mobile dating app users, and whether sexual risk behaviors vary between mobile dating app users compared to those who met in-person. Methods: A convenience sample of university students was invited via email to participate in an online survey. Responses were recorded from 1,322 students (ages 18 to 24). Results: Participants most frequently reported oral sex (vs. vaginal or anal) during their first sexual encounter with a partner met via mobile apps (82%, n=164) or in-person (69%, n=289) (Χ2=15.53, df=2, p=.000). The majority of participants who engaged in oral sex did not use a condom/dental dam (mobile app, 98%; in-person, 98%). Reasons for not using a condom/dental dam were that both partners decided not to use condoms, that the participant never uses condoms for oral sex, and/or the participant was not concerned about sexually transmitted infections (STI) or HIV. Despite condomless oral sex, the majority of participants strongly agreed/agreed that condoms are easy to use (87%, 290/334) and they can easily discuss condom use with their partner (90%, 302/334). Conclusions: Condomless oral sex was frequently practiced and often occurred during the first sexual encounter with a new partner. People may not regard fellatio and cunnilingus as sex, so they forgo condoms and increase risks of oral STIs, including HPV. Mobile dating apps could serve as an additional platform to educate young adults about STI and cancer risks of oral sex.

Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the role mobile dating apps may play in health education about STIs including HPV.

Keyword(s): Communication Technology, STDs/STI

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a MPH in Social Science Research in Public Health and am in the 3rd year of a doctoral program. I am the principal investigator for this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3220.0: Using technology to advance reproductive and sexual health