Is the use of dating apps associated with STIs in young heterosexuals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is the use of dating apps associated with developing a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) in young heterosexual adults aged 18 - 24 years in the North East of England?
IRAS ID
267065
Contact name
Nicola K Love
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UKHSA
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The use of smartphone applications (apps) where individuals can identify romantic and sexual partners – ‘dating apps’ - has increased since 2009. It is widely speculated that the use of dating apps has led to an increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, little published evidence exists. Furthermore, published studies have predominantly focusing on men who have sex with men (MSM), despite the widespread use of dating apps in heterosexual populations, particularly in young adults.
This study aims to examine whether dating app use is associated with developing an STI in young heterosexual adults aged 18 to 24 years, resident in the North East of England. In North East in 2018 70% of new STI diagnoses were in heterosexual adults, with diagnosis rates highest in young people aged 15-24 years.This study will aim to recruit 678 participants from sexual health clinics. All young adults undergoing sexual health testing will be invited to take part. Participants will be asked to answer a short questionnaire asking about their demographic characteristics, sexual risk factors and app usage. Participants will not be asked for any identifiable information, but will be asked to provide their clinic ID number (GUM ID). Using this identification numbers, questionnaire data can be linked to STI test result data, which is routinely collected by clinics and Public Health England. Recruitment will run for 4 months, or until the sample size is reached.
The collected data will be used to estimate the prevalence of dating app usage in young adults in the North East; to determine the characteristics and sexual practices of participants who use dating apps and those that don’t use dating apps, and to determine the proportion of app users and non-users who have a current STI.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0286
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion