Mats Sundbeck1, Anders Emmelin2, Louise Mannheimer3, Håkan Miörner4, Anette Agardh2. 1. Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, Sweden. Electronic address: mats.sundbeck@med.lu.se. 2. Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, Sweden. 3. Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Public Health Agency, Health and Sexuality, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Regional Office of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Region Skåne, Sweden.
Abstract
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 18-29 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, 18-24 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. Non-condom use with a casual partner was associated with 18-24 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, 18-24 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.
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 18-29 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, 18-24 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. Non-condom use with a casual partner was associated with 18-24 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, 18-24 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.