Electronic Media Access and Use for Sexuality and Sexual Health Education Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Four Cities in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Electronic media use is an important avenue for reaching stigmatized populations. We examined Internet access and use of sexually related electronic media among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 4 cities in Tanzania. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 231 MSM in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, and Tanga regarding electronic media type, times of use, type of use and frequency of use of sexually-related media. Results: Mean age was 25.7 years, and 52% had completed high school. Half had access to the internet through personal electronic devices, a further quarter had access through work, 10% through friends’ devices, and only 2% had no access to the internet. Most frequently used electronic devices were personal computer followed by work smartphone, with work computer a close third. These patterns were consistent for both seeking other men for sex and finding sexual health information. All respondents had accessed sexual material electronically at some time. Substantial logged-in time was reported each week seeking/chatting with potential sexual partners (median = 48 hr), looking at “porn” (median = 24 hr), and searching for health information (median = 7 hr). Over 98% indicated that they would use an anonymous/confidential online service for HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing. The majority (79%) had found sexual partners throughout the Internet in the last 24 hours, and 52% sought sexual health education online 2–3 times per week. Peak search time was evenings, increasing during weekends. Discussion: For Tanzanian MSM in cities, sexual electronic media use is high and includes work devices. Sexual health information seeking, and openness to electronic counseling and testing was almost universal. Electronic sites for sexual health access should be explored and evaluated.

Keywords:

• Africa
• homosexual
• electronic media
• sexual health
• men

Acknowledgments

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 13th International AIDS Impact Conference, November 12–15 2017, Cape Town, South Africa. These data were collected as part of an evaluation for service provision by the NGO in 2015. Michael W. Ross was requested to analyze the data for conference presentation and publication, and the study and data were then reviewed and declared exempt by the University of Minnesota IRB (00001504), under OHRP Exempt Categories 45 CFR 46.101(B)-(HRP-312) (category 4) in 2017. This research analysis was supported by the Swedish Research Council under Grant 2014-2649 to Anette Agardh.

Declaration of interest

John Kashiha was employed by the data collection agency. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded with support from the Swedish Research Council project grant number 2014-2649, and the Program in Human Sexuality of the University of Minnesota.