Mobile Dating Applications & Sexually Transmitted Infections in the U.S.

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective. The objectives of this study are: 1) Elucidate the relationship between the introduction of mobile dating applications and the trends of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia diagnoses rates in the US; 2) To inform health professionals on STI trends, with the goal of development of interventions aimed at improving sexual health education and practices. Background. In the United States, from 2006-2016, there has been an overall increase in syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia cases. In 2013, the mobile dating application, Tinder, was developed and is now the most frequently used mobile dating application in the United States. Methods. The CDC’s STD Data & Statistics dataset from 2006-2016 was used for this study. Daily usage of mobile dating applications and gender of users datasets were analyzed from 2015-2017. Results. In the US, the CDC reports that from 2006-2016 there was an increase in incidence of 153, 36.1 and 15.1 cases per 100,00 people of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, respectively. The most notable increase of gonorrhea and syphilis was seen from 2013 to 2016 which corresponds with the time mobile dating applications gained traction in the US. Gonorrhea incidence decreased from 2006-2013 and increased by 40.5 cases per 100,000 people from 2013-2016. Syphilis incidence increased by 5.6 cases per 100,000 people from 2006-2013 and by 9.5 cases per 100,000 people from 2013-2016. Conclusion. We conclude that the correlation between mobile dating application usage and risky sexual behaviors and the subsequent increase in incidence of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia requires further research and analysis.