Sexual risk-taking during travel abroad - a cross-sectional survey among youth in Q2 Sweden

Mats Sundbeck, Anders Emmelin, Louise Mannheimer, Håkan Miörner, Anette Agardh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Summary Background: The aim was to assess sexual risk-taking behaviour in a sample of Swedish youth who were sexually active while travelling abroad and to examine possible associations with sexual risk-taking behaviour during such travel.
Methods: From a population-based sample of 2189 Swedes 18e29 years 768 who were sexually active while abroad, were assessed by a questionnaire concerning socio-demographic background, life-style, travel duration, sexuality, mental health, heavy episodic drinking (HED) and drug-use.

Results: Approximately 1/4 reported intercourse with a casual partner abroad. Casual sex was associated with HED, 18e24 years, and drug use in both sexes, and for women, also with one month of travel. Among youth with casual partners, 48% reported non-condom use. Noncondom use with a casual partner was associated with 18e24 years, one month of travel for women, and poor self-rated mental health for men. About 10% had 2 partners abroad. Having 2 partners abroad was associated with one month of travel, and for men also with HED.

Conclusion: Male sex, 18e24 years of age, 1 month of travel, HED, and drug use were significantly associated with sexual risk-taking during travel abroad. Poor self-rated mental health and foreign-born parentage might also constitute risk factors for men.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)233–241
Number of pages9
JournalTravel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 May

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology

Free keywords

  • Travel
  • STI
  • Risk-taking
  • Sexual
  • Youth
  • Condom

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