The Roles of Offline and Dating Application-met Social and Sexual Networks and Sexual Health Literacy in the Risky Sexual Behaviors of Filipino Men who have sex with men
The Roles of Offline and Dating Application-met Social and Sexual Networks and Sexual Health Literacy in the Risky Sexual Behaviors of Filipino Men who have sex with men
Lledo, J. & Santos, T. (2020). The roles of offline and dating application-met social and sexual networks and sexual health literacy in the risky sexual behaviors of Filipino men who have sex with men, Unpublished Thesis, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.
Abstract The Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV cases in the world, with a 203% increase from 2010 to 2018. Sexual contact among MSM is the predominant mode of HIV transmission and inconsistent condom use is the main reason for the rise in HIV cases. Through the lens of the social network theory and use of an egocentric network approach, this study examined the roles of social and sexual networks in the Filipino MSM’s engagement in risky sexual behaviors and analyzed the function of GSN applications as tools and platforms for the formation of these networks. Using the IMB model, the influence of sexual health literacy on the MSM’s sexual risk taking was also assessed. Respondent-driven sampling, a method specifically developed to reach hidden populations, was employed in this study. The study’s full implementation was hampered by circumstances surrounding COVID-19, however prior to suspensions, 103 responses were gathered including information about 309 social and 409 sexual network alters. Preliminary findings show that Filipino MSM have high levels of sexual health literacy and engage in risky sex. Network profiles and variables were analyzed. A report of the study’s partial execution and recommendations for its full implementation are discussed.