The Internet alert project: spreading the word about high-risk sexual activities advertised on the Internet

The Internet is an emerging venue for facilitating high-risk sexual behavior; in particular, use of the Internet to seek out sex partners has been shown to be associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, such as an increase in number of sexual partners and an increase in anal sex, which can increase...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS care 2004-11, Vol.16 (8), p.971-976
Main Author: Kachur, R. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advertising
Advertising as Topic - utilization
AIDS
AIDS/HIV
Communication
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Personnel - education
Health Promotion - methods
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Information Dissemination - methods
Internet
Internet - utilization
Male
Online advertising
Prevention
Prevention programs
Public health
Reminder Systems
Risk factors
Sexual behavior
Sexual behaviour
Sexual Partners
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control
United States
Unsafe Sex
USA
Warnings
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Summary:The Internet is an emerging venue for facilitating high-risk sexual behavior; in particular, use of the Internet to seek out sex partners has been shown to be associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, such as an increase in number of sexual partners and an increase in anal sex, which can increase the risk of contracting and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. In an effort to assist health departments around the country, the Internet Alert Project was developed to provide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) project officers and field staff with information about Internet-advertised, high-risk sexual activities in areas that do not have access to sexually explicit material on the Internet. An evaluation was conducted to determine the utility of the Internet Alert Project, its effect on knowledge and awareness of recipients and on public health efforts. Results of the evaluation show the alerts are a useful and valuable tool. The alerts have helped to increase knowledge about sexually-related uses of the Internet and have also driven public health efforts in the field. The results also indicate the need for project areas to access information found on the Internet in order to keep up with the ever-changing behaviors of at-risk populations.
ISSN:0954-0121
1360-0451
DOI:10.1080/09540120412331292494