JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Despite the prevalent use of geosocial-networking dating apps (GNDAs), there is limited research into their impact on sexual health outcomes among young people at music festivals.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore geosocial-networking dating apps use and risky sexual behaviour of young adults attending a music festival.

Methods:

Music festival attendees (N=862) between the ages of 18-30 completed a survey encompassing demographics, dating app use, and risky sexual behaviours over the past twelve months. Associations between these variables were estimated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions.

Results:

Of the respondents, 52.0% (448/862) had used GNDAs in the last 12 months. Compared to people that only had one partner, people that had 2-5 sexual partners in the last 12 months also had almost 7 times the odds of using dating apps (OR: 6.581 (95%CI: 4.643-9.328) and those who had more than 5 partners had almost fourteen times the odds of using dating apps (OR: 14.294 (95%CI: 8.92-22.906)). People who used condoms were more likely to be app users (P<.001), as were those who relied on emergency plan B (p=0.002) but people using hormonal contraception were less likely to use dating apps (P=0.004). After adjusting for sexual orientation and relationship status, those having casual sex have 3.096 (95%CI: 2.225-4.307, P<.001) times the odds of using dating apps and those having multiple sexual partners have 3.943 (95%CI:2.782-5.588, P<.001).times the odds of using dating apps compared to those who have not. Similarly, after adjusting for sexual orientation, relationship status and number of sexual partners, people who had no discussions prior to having sex about STIs or boundaries were more likely to use dating apps (OR:1.755 (95%CI interval: 1.232-2.500, P=0.002). Those who perceived the risk of having sex without any form of contraception to be ‘very high’ had 2.486 (95%CI: 2.213-5.096, P=0.013) times the odds of using dating apps than those who saw ‘no risk’. People who thought that the risk of having multiple sexual partners was ‘low to high’ had 1.871 (95%CI:1.024-3.418, p=0.041) times the odds of using dating apps compared to people who thought having multiple partners posed ‘no risk’. A significant number of respondents (88.4%: 389/440) indicated that GNDAs should promote safe sex.

Conclusions:

This study identified that those engaging in certain high-risk sexual behaviours including casual sex, having multiple sex partners and having sex without discussion about STI status and boundaries are more likely to use dating apps. The results of this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge surrounding the changing landscape of dating, sexual behaviours and health impacts in the era of GNDAs. Policymakers and GNDA developers should acknowledge the vulnerability of their users to adverse sexual health outcomes, and utilize GNDAs as a platform to promote risk reduction practices. Clinical Trial: N/A