TY - JOUR

T1 - Factors associated with risky sexual behaviour

T2 - a comparison of British, Spanish and German holidaymakers to the Balearics

AU - Downing, Jennifer

AU - Hughes, Karen

AU - Bellis, Mark A

AU - Calafat, Amador

AU - Juan, Montse

AU - Blay, Nicole

PY - 2011/6

Y1 - 2011/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: Previous studies exploring risk-taking behaviour on holiday are typically limited to single nationalities, confounding comparisons among countries. Here we examine the sexual behaviour of holidaymakers of three nationalities visiting Ibiza and Majorca.METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study design was used focusing on British, Spanish and German holidaymakers in the age range of 16-35 years. Overall, 3003 questionnaires were gathered at airports in Majorca and Ibiza from holidaymakers returning home.RESULTS: Of those surveyed, 71.1% were single (travelling without a current sexual partner) (Majorca, 74.3%; Ibiza, 68.0%). Overall, 34.1% of single holidaymakers had sex on holiday. Amongst single participants, factors associated with having sex on holiday were high levels of drunkenness, being Spanish and holidaying for over 2 weeks. Of those single and having sex on holiday, factors associated with multiple sexual partners were being male and age ≤19 years. Unprotected sex was predicted by being German and holidaying in Majorca, holidaying with members of the opposite sex and using four or more drugs on holiday. All sexual behaviours were predicted by a high number of sexual partners in the previous 12 months. Furthermore, single holidaymakers having sex abroad were more likely to prefer night-time venues facilitating casual sex and excessive alcohol consumption.CONCLUSIONS: Casual sex encounters in youth holiday resorts may be commonplace and mediated through substance use. Further focused public health efforts, including in bars/nightclubs, are needed to prevent sexual risk-taking which can increase the likelihood of poor sexual health outcomes and associated factors such as regretted sex.

AB - BACKGROUND: Previous studies exploring risk-taking behaviour on holiday are typically limited to single nationalities, confounding comparisons among countries. Here we examine the sexual behaviour of holidaymakers of three nationalities visiting Ibiza and Majorca.METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study design was used focusing on British, Spanish and German holidaymakers in the age range of 16-35 years. Overall, 3003 questionnaires were gathered at airports in Majorca and Ibiza from holidaymakers returning home.RESULTS: Of those surveyed, 71.1% were single (travelling without a current sexual partner) (Majorca, 74.3%; Ibiza, 68.0%). Overall, 34.1% of single holidaymakers had sex on holiday. Amongst single participants, factors associated with having sex on holiday were high levels of drunkenness, being Spanish and holidaying for over 2 weeks. Of those single and having sex on holiday, factors associated with multiple sexual partners were being male and age ≤19 years. Unprotected sex was predicted by being German and holidaying in Majorca, holidaying with members of the opposite sex and using four or more drugs on holiday. All sexual behaviours were predicted by a high number of sexual partners in the previous 12 months. Furthermore, single holidaymakers having sex abroad were more likely to prefer night-time venues facilitating casual sex and excessive alcohol consumption.CONCLUSIONS: Casual sex encounters in youth holiday resorts may be commonplace and mediated through substance use. Further focused public health efforts, including in bars/nightclubs, are needed to prevent sexual risk-taking which can increase the likelihood of poor sexual health outcomes and associated factors such as regretted sex.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Ethnic Groups

KW - Female

KW - Germany

KW - Holidays

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Risk-Taking

KW - Sexual Behavior

KW - Sexual Partners

KW - Spain

KW - Substance-Related Disorders

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Travel

KW - United Kingdom

KW - Unsafe Sex

KW - Young Adult

KW - Comparative Study

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1093/eurpub/ckq021

DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckq021

M3 - Article

C2 - 20231212

VL - 21

SP - 275

EP - 281

JO - European Journal of Public Health

JF - European Journal of Public Health

SN - 1101-1262

IS - 3

ER -