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

Dating applications have become increasingly popular platforms for meeting romantic partners, but their association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a topic of concern.

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.

This was a cross-sectional survey of 32 questions assessing dating app usage, sexual behaviors, and STI diagnoses in patients attending the STI clinic.

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).

Cross-sectional design, single center study and self report reporting of dating app use and sexual behavior.

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).