According to a new study, 'hookup apps' have been becoming more and more popular with every passing day and such apps could be the reason of increase in the number of STD infections that are reported in Rhode Island.

The number of cases of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, in Rhode Island rose by about 79% from 2013 to 2014. The cases of gonorrhea have increased by about 30% in the same time, as per the study. From 2013 to 2014, the cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increased by about 33%.

According to the Rhode Island department of health, high-risk behaviors have become very common in recent few years. Social media has played a key role in arranging casual and often anonymous sexual encounters, as per the department.

The new study has come as a blow to people who use popular apps such as Tinder, Grindr, Blender, Scruff, Happn, Down, Glimpse, Pure, JSwipe, Hinge and many more. Earlier this month, Utah suggested that the hookup apps could be the reason behind the increasing number of STD rates between 2011 and 2014. As per reports, Gonorrhea has been found the most common venereal disease in the Beehive state. From 2011 to 2014, the infections increased by about 700%.

According to the state health department, "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 behaviors that have become more common in recent years". The department said the high-risk behaviors could include using social media websites to organize casual and often anonymous sexual encounters.

Lynn Beltran, epidemiologist at the Salt Lake County STD clinic, said the eruption of STD infections could be very dangerous in the near future.