International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 19, Number 6 > Pp. 370-377

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Original research articles

Sex, drugs and sexually transmitted infections in British university students

R Vivancos DPH , I Abubakar PhD and P R Hunter MD

School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK

Correspondence to: Dr Roberto Vivancos Email: r.vivancos{at}uea.ac.uk

Understanding predisposing factors for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young adults may identify targets for public health interventions. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey of university students' sexual attitudes, behaviours and lifestyles and self-reported rates of STI. A total of 827 students responded, 22.4% had two or more sexual partners in the previous year with inconsistent condom use and the lifetime prevalence of STIs was 9.6%. Factors associated with a diagnosis of STI were increasing age and number of sexual partners ever, female gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31, 5.56) and use of crack (AOR 10.45, 95% CI 1.46, 75.16). For female students, these were increasing age and number of partners ever, whereas for male students having sex with other men (bisexual AOR 4.8, 95% CI 1.02, 22.595, homosexual AOR 17.66, 95% CI 3.03, 103.04) and use of crack (AOR 32.24, 95% CI 3.33, 312.08). Multiple partners and recreational drug use may predict incidence of STI. Prevention strategies need to aim at reducing risk behaviour across various activities.

Key Words: sexually transmitted infections • sexual behaviour • university students • recreational drug use • risk factors

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				R Vivancos, I Abubakar, and P R Hunter Sexual behaviour, drugs and alcohol use of international students at a British university: a cross-sectional survey Int J STD AIDS, September 1, 2009; 20(9): 619 - 622. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]