title: Sexual health and the Rugby World Cup 2011: a cross-sectional study of sexual health clinics in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to describe the characteristics of sexual health clinic (SHC) attendance and sexually transmissible infection (STI) diagnoses during the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand in 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  SHC attendance and STI diagnoses around the time of the RWC were compared with the 5 preceding years. A cross-sectional survey conducted at SHCs in four New Zealand cities collected information from attendees having RWC-related sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although there was no statistically significant increase in clinic attendance or STI diagnoses during the RWC compared with previous years, in these four cities, 151 individuals of 2079 attending SHCs for a new concern reported RWC-related sex. The most frequently diagnosed STIs were chlamydial infection (Chlamydia trachomatis), genital warts and genital herpes. Most attendees (74%) who had RWC-related sex had consumed three or more alcoholic drinks; 22% had used a condom. Seven percent of women reported nonconsensual sex. RWC-related sex was associated with an increased risk of STI diagnoses in men: gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae): relative risk (RR)=4.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-11.4); nonspecific urethritis: RR=2.8 (95% CI: 1.3-5.9); chlamydial infection: RR=1.8 (95% CI: 1.1-2.9). Using a condom was associated with a reduced risk (RR=0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9) of diagnosis with any STI among those having RWC-related sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight issues that are amenable to prevention. The continued promotion of condoms as well as a reduction in the promotion and availability of alcohol at such events may reduce sexual health risks as well as other harm.
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. rebecca.psutka@otago.ac.nz
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Psutka
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Priest
authors: Nigel
authors: N
authors: Dickson
authors: Jennie
authors: J
authors: Connor
authors: Sunita
authors: S
authors: Azariah
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Kennedy
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Morgan
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: McIlraith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005538:Football; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014526:Urethritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult