title: Sexual risk taking in a community sample of international backpackers visiting Brisbane, Australia.
abstract: We sought to examine correlations between international backpackers' alcohol consumption and sexual behaviors and determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea in this population. A cross-sectional study design consisting of a convenience sample (N = 168) of non-treatment-seeking international backpackers visiting Brisbane, Australia was recruited. Participants were asked to self-complete a questionnaire on sexual behavior and to undertake a urine-based polymerase chain reaction test for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoea. Since arriving in Australia, 73.2% reported having had sex, with a median number of 2 different sex partners (range = 0-21). Most participants had consumed alcohol (53.7%) and used condoms (46.3%) the last time they had sex. In our sample, there was a 4.3% prevalence of C trachomatis and a 0% prevalence of N gonorrhoea. This study identified a variable pattern of risk among backpackers, with those spending longer periods in the country more likely to have sex with Australians.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health and HIV Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia joseph_debattista@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Debattista
authors.affiliation: Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Soulmaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rostami
authors.affiliation: Metro South Health Service District, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Peet
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health and HIV Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health and HIV Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011793:Queensland; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: alcohol; backpackers; chlamydia; risk taking; sexually transmitted infections; tourists