Dating Sites and Mobile Applications Usage in Patients of Sexually Transmitted Infections Attending a Tertiary Care Centre in North India

BACKGROUND: Dating applications have become increasingly popular platforms for meeting romantic partners, but their association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a topic of concern. AIM: To study the prevalence of the use of dating apps among patients with STIs and analyze the behavioral patterns and sexual practices in this group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of 32 questions assessing dating app usage, sexual behaviors, and STI diagnoses in patients attending the STI clinic. RESULTS: We interviewed 150 patients with STIs and divided them into two groups: group A (those who used dating apps; 49/150, 32.6%) and Group B (those who did not; 101/150, 67.4%). The mean age of group A was significantly lower (27.31 ± 7.11 years vs. 32.16 ± 9.4; P < 0.001). Male gender was predominant in both group A (45/49, 91.8%) and group B (66/101, 65.3%). Group A reported earlier sexual debut (19.9 ± 3.4 years vs 21.72 ± 2.5 years; P < .001), were more likely to be single (65.3% vs 26.7%; P < 0.001, Odds ratio: 6.2), and had multiple sexual partners (group A: offline: 4 partners; online: 11 partners vs. group B: 2 partners). Additionally, group A was more likely to be homosexual (20.4% vs 3%; P < .001) or bisexual (28.6% vs 2%; P < .001) and had a higher prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus coinfection (18% vs 6.9%; P = 0.03, Odds ratio: 3.02). LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, single center study and self report reporting of dating app use and sexual behavior. CONCLUSION: Dating app usage was associated with younger age, male gender, and increased STI risk behaviors (earlier sexual debut, higher partner number, and homosexual or bisexual).