Accessing Sexual Health Information Online: Content, Reasons and Practical Barriers in Emerging Adults

Abstract

The Internet is an important platform for providing sexual health information for emerging adults. However, less is known about what content is accessed, why it is accessed and what practical barriers exist. Emerging adulthood is a developmental period often associated with increased risky sexual behaviour. This study explored practical aspects of accessing online sexual health information including the type of content accessed, reasons for accessing informationand practical barriers to accessing websites. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was applied. Participants were 751 emerging adults aged 18–29 years old (M = 23.3; SD = 3.11), recruited from the Republic of Ireland. Participants completed an online survey including variables about demographics, Internet searches for sex-related information, reasons for conducting searches, important aspects and practical difficulties in accessing sexual health websites. Most participants reported using the Internet for sexual health information. Content accessed related to sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives and relationship advice. Reasons for conducting searches included curiosity, privacy and presence of infection. Important website factors were usefulness, ease of understanding and confidentiality. Practical barriers included difficulty filtering excess information, lack of relevant content and limited awareness of trusted sources. Differences were observed between genders and sexual orientations. The findings have implications for healthcare and/or public health professionals who are responsible for providing online sexual health resources for emerging adults.