Binge drinking, sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infection in the UK

Standerwick, K., Davies, C., Tucker, L. and Sheron, N. (2007) Binge drinking, sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infection in the UK. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 18 (12), 810-813. (doi:10.1258/095646207782717027).

Abstract

Associations between sexual risk and alcohol consumption may be self-evident but have eluded detailed examination in the UK. A cohort of 520 genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic attenders in the south of England were given a detailed questionnaire and compared with a matched cohort from the General Household Survey (GHS). Clinic attenders binged heavily -a median of 13 units on a usual night and 26 on a 'heavy' night, compared with six units in the GHS cohort. In all, 86% of clinic attenders exceeded the UK government 'binge drinking' level of six units, and 32% of subjects thought that alcohol played a role in their clinic attendance. A total of 77% had been drinking before sex with a new partner; of these, 65% were usually or occasionally very drunk. Binge drinking was increased in the 29% diagnosed with a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (P < 0.003). Of the women, 19% reported an unwanted pregnancy, with 28% drinking beforehand.

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Contributors

Author: N. Sheron

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