Investigating the relationship between substance use and sexual behaviour in young people in Britain: findings from a national probability survey

Abstract

BackgroundHealth risk behaviours are prominent in late adolescence and young adulthood, yet UK population-level research examining the relationship between drug or alcohol use and sexual health and behaviour among young people is scarce, despite public health calls for an integrated approach to health improvement. Our objective was to further our understanding of the scale of and nature of any such relationship, using contemporary data from Britain's third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3).MethodsAnalyses of data from Natsal-3, a stratified probability survey of 15 162 men and women (3869 aged 16–24 years), undertaken in 2010–2012, using computer-assisted personal interviewing, were carried out. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between reporting (1) frequent binge drinking (≥weekly), (2) recent drug use (within past 4 weeks) or (3) multiple (both types of) substance use, and key sexual risk behaviours and adverse sexual health outcomes. We then examined the sociodemographic profile, health behaviours and attitudes reported by ‘risky’ young people, defined as those reporting ≥1 type of substance use plus non-condom use at first sex with ≥1 new partner(s), last year.ResultsMen and women reporting frequent binge drinking or recent drug use were more likely to report: unprotected first sex with ≥1 new partner(s), last year; first sex with their last partner after only recently meeting; emergency contraception use (last year) and sexually transmitted infection diagnosis/es (past 5 years). Associations with sexual risk were frequently stronger for those reporting multiple substance use, particularly among men. The profile of ‘risky’ young people differed from that of other 16–24 years old.ConclusionsIn this nationally representative study, substance use was strongly associated with sexual risk and adverse sexual health outcomes among young people. Qualitative or event-level research is needed to examine the context and motivations behind these associations to inform joined-up interventions to address these inter-related behaviours.

Health Risk Behaviors: Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs, and Dating among Youths in Rural Central Java

“…Studies in the United Kingdom show that the youth, particularly young boys, who engage in multiple substance use were more likely to report risky sexual behavior. 11 Although the number of the youth involved in multiple risky behaviors was small in this study, these results aligned with several studies from other countries showed that concurrent multiple risk behavior is associated with low self-efficacy and low self-esteem, as well as a general propensity toward potential risk-taking that is related to the self-regulation capacity influenced by adolescent brain development. 11 This study showed that 28% of adolescent were currently dating; this aligns with the fact that most respondents were still in high school and were very young (the average age was 16).…”

“…Studies in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have found associations between substance use and risky sexual behavior among adolescents. 11 When youths participate in one risky health behavior, they tend to participate in other risky health behavior. 12 Despite the assumption of an association between smoking, alcohol, and risky sexual behavior, there is limited study targeting youth with multiple risk behavior, particularly in Central Java.…”

High‐risk behaviours, and their associations with mental health, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and HIV parameters, in HIV‐positive men who have sex with men

“…Mental health conditions and symptoms of depression were common in this cohort; participants reporting the high-risk phenotype had increased risks of all three measures of poor mental health status, consistent with the findings from the general population [4]. Potential mechanisms for this relationship could include use of substances to cope with mental health symptoms, or risk of mental health problems secondary to substance use [5].…”

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Its Association with Sexual Behaviour and Alcohol Use in the Population Living in Separated and Segregated Roma Settlements in Eastern Slovakia

“…Our finding that a higher frequency of binge drinking (once a month or more) is associated with a higher number of sexual partners (five or more partners) is in line with previous research. Alcohol and substance use may reduce inhibitions and impair judgement in these users, which can manifest on their sexual behaviour regarding unplanned sex, having first sex with their last partner after they had only recently met or multiple partners, sexual activity in early teenage years and also on their poor sexual health outcomes [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ], including chlamydial infection [ 60 ].…”