Tinder, Grindr To Blame For STD Surge In Rhode Island

Could some dating apps be to blame for a recent surge of STDs in Rhode Island?

The Rhode Island Department of health released a report stating that the rate of sexually transmitted diseases, like HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea, are on the rise, particularly from men meeting for sex through social media sites like Tinder and Grindr.

Data revealed that the number of infectious syphilis cases increased by 79 percent; gonorrhea cases increased by 30 percent, and the number of newly-identified HIV cases increased by nearly 33 percent.  

Researchers also found that gay and bisexual men still at the highest risk of infection, while African-American, Hispanic and younger adults were also at high risk.

"The recent uptick in STDs in Rhode Island follows a national trend. The increase has been attributed to better testing by providers and to high-risk behaviours that have become more common in recent years," organization said, in a statement. 

"High-risk behaviours include using social media to arrange casual and often anonymous sexual encounters, having sex without a condom, having multiple sex partners and having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

Officials noted that going forward, things like routine testing and better education on the issue may help to lower the numbers.

"These data send a clear signal that despite the progress we have made in reducing STDs and HIV over the years, there is more work to do," noted Nicole Alexander-Scott, Director Designee at Health. "We are fortunate in Rhode Island to have great partnerships among state agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare providers to continue to educate, test and treat for sexually transmitted diseases. This trend reminds us that we cannot become complacent."

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