Tinder, Grindr used to stop spread of sexually transmitted infections

SBS
Sylvia Varnham O’Regan
Original Article:  bit.ly/1DNj1Jh

Australian researchers have used the gay dating app Grindr to effectively combat a small outbreak of syphilis in Darwin.

The study, carried out by the Northern Territory Department of Health and the Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC), was launched after a number of men tested positive for the infection between February and July 2013.

The outbreak was contained to men who have sex with men so researchers decided to use the gay hook-up app Grindr to get messages out to them about testing.

Kim Gates, executive director of the NTAHC, said results released this month showed just how effective the messages had been.

"There was a significant increase in the number of men getting tested for STIs [after the advertising came out]," she said. "It was at least double what the normal testing rates are for each clinic in the territory."

Full text of article available at link below:  bit.ly/1DNj1Jh