Online Sexual Health Information Seeking Patterns Differentiated by Social Location and Physical Location among Gay and Bisexual Men in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Objective

This research aimed to understand the varying needs of diverse gay and bisexual men (GBM) in relation to online sexual health information-seeking dependent upon differing social sociodemographic variables and geographic location.

Methods

A total of 1802 GBM in Ontario participated in this study. Multivariable regressions were conducted to analyze differences in information-seeking based on ethnicity group, HIV status, recent sexual behavior and regionality (urban and rural location).

Results

There were significant differences in online sexual health information-seeking content based on these demographic variables.

Conclusions

Implications for sexual health outreach and service provision for diverse GBM are discussed as well.

Keywords:

• Gay and bisexual men
• sexual health
• online information seeking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Internal Review Board (IRB) statement

All research methods were approved by and conducted in accordance with the ethical requirements of the University of Toronto's Research Ethics Board (Protocol# 29274).

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network vis two funds: Targeted Request for Applications (RFA: G913 & RFA: G847). David J. Brennan's research is also funded by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network's Endgame Leadership Chair Funding.