Barriers to STD/HIV prevention on the Internet

Using the Internet as a mode for health promotion is appealing. There are important methodological considerations to the approach, but there are also important reasons why people will and will not participate in Internet interventions. This is a report on data from 4601 people who completed an online survey of sexual risk behavior in 2000. Most indicated they would visit a website for STD/HIV prevention information (61%), but fewer would open an E-mail (45%) or chat (30%) about the topic. Top reasons for rejecting website, E-mail and chat room education about STD/ HIV are given. Logistic regression results showed men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons with a history of testing for STD are consistently more likely to endorse STD/HIV prevention through chat rooms (MSM 1.8, STD testers 1.3), E-mail (MSM 1.6, STD testers 1.2) and websites (MSM 1.8, STD testers 1.2). The data demonstrate the Internet may facilitate health promotion among MSM who may not be reached in a publicly funded STD prevention setting. The Internet may also act as a good adjunct to STD information obtained in clinic settings among those who seek STD testing.