Women, the Internet, and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Abstract

The Internet is a flourishing sex venue, and women too are using this new vehicle to seek out sex partners. The wide pool of potential sex partners found online coupled with ease of travel and an increase in partners has the potential to spread an STI or HIV with greater efficiency than ever before imagined. Although women with Internet partners may engage in protective behavior more frequently than women with no Internet partners, they also engage in higher risk behaviors. This population, therefore, needs to be recognized and targeted with STI and HIV education and prevention efforts.