Forming new sex partnerships while overseas: findings from the third British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes & Lifestyles (Natsal-3)

Abstract

ObjectivesTravelling away from home presents opportunities for new sexual partnerships, which may be associated with sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk. We examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, reporting new sexual partner(s) while overseas, and whether this differed by partners’ region of residence.MethodsWe analysed data from 12 530 men and women aged 16–74 years reporting ≥1 sexual partner(s) in the past 5 years in Britain's third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3), a probability survey undertaken 2010–2012.Results9.2% (95% CI 8.3% to 10.1%) of men and 5.3% (4.8% to 5.8%) of women reported new sexual partner(s) while overseas in the past 5 years. This was strongly associated with higher partner numbers and other sexual and health risk behaviours. Among those with new partners while overseas, 72% of men and 58% of women reported partner(s) who were not UK residents. Compared with those having only UK partners while abroad, these people were more likely to identify as ‘White Other’ or ‘Non-White’ (vs White British ethnicity), report higher partner numbers, new partners from outside the UK while in the UK and paying for sex (men only) all in the past 5 years. There was no difference in reporting STI diagnosis/es during this time period.ConclusionsReporting new partners while overseas was associated with a range of sexual risk behaviours. Advice on sexual health should be included as part of holistic health advice for all travellers, regardless of age, destination or reason for travel.

Risk of Contraceptive Lapse and New Sexual Partnership Among Female University Students Traveling Internationally

“…We considered covariates that we specified a priori to be potentially associated with either contraceptive lapse or new sexual partnership, and that may also be related to travel status: background variables, reference period duration and contraceptive methods used during the reference period. Covariates were drawn primarily from the research literature pertaining to sexual and reproductive health outcomes among nontraveling women, which is much larger than the evidence base for traveling women; where possible, however, they were also drawn from studies of women traveling internationally …”

“…Background variables included several demographic characteristics: age, race and ethnicity, religious denomination, importance of religion in daily life (adapted from the National Survey of Family Growth) and sexual orientation (heterosexual or straight, gay or lesbian, bisexual or other). Student status (undergraduate or graduate) was included to capture level of education and potential differences between student categories that are independent of age (e.g., academic stress, maturity, travel habits).…”

The Holy Grail of prevention of sexually transmitted infections in travellers

“…In this issue of the journal, two articles1 2 provide new evidence on sexual behaviours among travellers.…”

“…Tanton et al 1 state that the prevalence of risk-taking behaviours in terms of sexual relationship during travel is high enough to call for action in travel clinics. Indeed, the call is timely as there is a paucity of information related to strategies to prevent STI acquisition or transmission during foreign travel.…”

Highlights from this issue

“…We recently published an Australian study on seasonal variation in STIs,1 and this month's issue follows this up with interesting data on travel and sexual behaviour. The National Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) team report here on Brits' propensity to engage in new sexual partnerships while abroad 2. Natsal is a renowned and well resourced study whose third wave3 provides an excellent resource for questionnaires and surveys which is extensively used by clinicians in the UK and abroad.…”