Objective: This study aims to explore the association between using smartphone dating applications (apps) and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner.
Study design: This is a cross-sectional study. Students were recruited from four university campuses in Hong Kong by convenience sampling.
Main outcome measures: Subjects completed a structured questionnaire asking about the use of dating apps, sexual history and socio-demographic information. Multiple logistic regressions were used to explore the association between using dating apps and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner.
Results: Six hundred and sixty-six subjects were included in the analysis. Users of dating apps were more likely to have had unprotected sex with a casual sex partner the last time they engaged in sexual intercourse (aOR: 10.06). Using dating apps for more than 12 months was associated with having a casual sex partner in the last sexual intercourse (aOR: 3.21), as well as having unprotected sex with that casual partner (aOR: 13.56).
Conclusion: We found a robust association between using dating apps and having unprotected sex with a casual sex partner, implying that using dating apps is an emerging sexual risk factor. We recommend that interventions promoting the safe use of dating apps should be implemented.
Keywords: Casual sex; Condom; Dating; HIV; Mobile phone.
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