Experts have called for healthcare professionals to do more to promote the message of safe sex to overseas travellers, after a report found many sleep with new partners while on holiday.
A study by University College London researchers found that 23 per cent of men and 17 per cent of women between the ages of 16 and 24 have had a new sexual partner while travelling.
The findings, which are published in the British Medical Journal publication Sexually Transmitted Infections, are based on interviews with 12,000 men and women and revealed that one in ten of all men's sexual partners were met overseas.
Britons mainly opt to sleep with British or European sexual partners in the belief that this will minimise their risk of HIV infection, and respondents generally cited North America, Thailand and Kenya as having a high potential HIV risk.
However, the responses indicated little awareness of risks of other sexually transmitted infections.
The researchers noted that a 'substantial minority' of sexually active Britons have new sexual partners while overseas, with twice as many men as women demonstrating this behaviour.
They concluded: 'Consequently, sexual health interventions targeting British travellers, especially the young and those who have multiple partners at home, should include information on the risk of having sex with compatriots as well as the STI/HIV prevalence in the local population or sex industry of foreign destinations.'
A study by University College London researchers found that 23 per cent of men and 17 per cent of women between the ages of 16 and 24 have had a new sexual partner while travelling.
The findings, which are published in the British Medical Journal publication Sexually Transmitted Infections, are based on interviews with 12,000 men and women and revealed that one in ten of all men's sexual partners were met overseas.
Britons mainly opt to sleep with British or European sexual partners in the belief that this will minimise their risk of HIV infection, and respondents generally cited North America, Thailand and Kenya as having a high potential HIV risk.
However, the responses indicated little awareness of risks of other sexually transmitted infections.
The researchers noted that a 'substantial minority' of sexually active Britons have new sexual partners while overseas, with twice as many men as women demonstrating this behaviour.
They concluded: 'Consequently, sexual health interventions targeting British travellers, especially the young and those who have multiple partners at home, should include information on the risk of having sex with compatriots as well as the STI/HIV prevalence in the local population or sex industry of foreign destinations.'
Labels: Travel Health
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