Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Address correspondence to: Scott D. Chat room-based prevention interventions for human immunodeficiency virus HIV are being implemented to reduce the risk of HIV exposure, infection, and re-infection among men who have sex with men MSM. Of the 1, chatters who participated in the month intervention, completed the online assessment.
The mean age was 30 years. Although the majority self-identified as gay, More than half self-identified as white and one-third as black or African American. A total of 8. Grounded theory analysis of transcripts from chat-room instant-message discussions identified 13 thematic categories related to chatter characteristics, prevention needs, and intervention delivery.
Chatters were looking for sexual partners, were not open about their orientation, lacked basic information about HIV, had questions about how to be tested, and perceived a lack of general community resources to meet their needs. Furthermore, CyBER educators had to understand and respect the online culture, build trust, and deliver well-crafted and focused messages.
Chat room-based interventions hold promise to systematically reach Internet communities of MSM, a group that is particularly at risk for infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Internet applications can expedite the process for individuals searching for -others with similar interests or for those who want to connect with others, either electronically or in person.
For many men who have sex with men MSM , the Internet has emerged as an important tool for social networking and support, meeting friends and sexual partners, and building community. Although the Internet is an important tool in the development of social and sexual identity for some MSM, 15 β 18 seeking sex on the Internet has been found to be a risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus HIV and sexually transmitted disease STD infection among MSM in North America 10 , 19 β 24 and Europe.
