Sex and the risk of HIV infection: the role of alcohol.
To investigate sexual behaviour under the influence of alcohol and the relationship between drinking habits and unsafe sex we carried out a postal and interview survey of 2174 students in the North East of England. Drinking habits were classified as non, light, medium and heavy, and cross-tabulated against sexual and other risk taking behaviour. Response rates of 74% and 77% were obtained in the postal and interview surveys respectively. In the postal survey, heavier drinkers were more likely to have unsafe sex such as casual sex without a condom, and sex with someone know to have many partners. Respondents associated alcohol with sexual risk taking; because of drinking too much, in the last year, 19% had not taken contraceptive precautions during sex. The interview survey largely confirmed postal survey results. There are three possible explanations of the association between drinking habits and unsafe sex: alcohol might disinhibit safer sex; young risk-takers may also drink more; or, drinking might be associated with unsafe sex by coincidence because sexual encounters often begin in licensed premises. Drinking habits should therefore be a priority issue for future HIV/AIDS related research, policy debate, and health education endeavour.
McEwan
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RT
AIDS Education for Young People Research Programme, Medical School, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
McCallum
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A
Bhopal
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RS
Madhok
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R
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects