The Future of Internet-Based HIV Prevention: A Report on Key Findings from the Men’s INTernet (MINTS-I, II) Sex Studies

• DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-9910-5
• Publication Date: 2011-03-01T19:37:07Z
• Authors: B. R. Simon Rosser; J. Michael Wilkerson; Derek J. Smolenski; J. Michael Oakes; Joseph Konstan; Keith J. Horvath; Gunna R. Kilian; David S. Novak; Gene P. Danilenko; Richard Morgan
• Keywords: Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Internet; 03 medical and health sciences; Risk-Taking; Sexual Partners; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; HIV Infections; Homosexuality, Male; 3. Good health

The Internet and other new media have changed how men who have sex with men (MSM) find and interact with sexual partners. This social phenomenon, paired with growing evidence that use of the Internet increases MSM’s risk for HIV infection, makes it crucial that innovative technology-based HIV prevention interventions are developed for this population. In this commentary we explain why technology-based HIV prevention interventions are urgently needed; we then highlight findings from some of the first Internet-based HIV prevention for MSM studies that show the potential for future interventions; we next discuss ways for interventionists to conceptualize new media as a tool for HIV prevention; and finally we discuss emerging trends for technology-based HIV-prevention research.