Sexual behaviors at home and abroad: an online survey of Canadian young adult travelers
| dc.contributor.author | Gareau, Emmanuelle | |
| dc.contributor.author | Phillips, Karen P. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-05-17T03:36:50Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-05-17T03:36:50Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022-05-13 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2022-05-17T03:36:50Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | Abstract Background For young adults, travel- an accessible and aspirational experience- may be accompanied by high-risk lifestyle behaviors abroad, which in turn, increases the risk of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). This study aimed to examine sexual and risk behaviors of young Canadian adults both at-home and during international travel. Methods Sexually-active Canadians, aged 18-25 years (N = 646) who travelled abroad in 2016, completed an online, cross-sectional survey analyzed by descriptive statistics. Outcome measures included young Canadian adults’ lifestyle risk and sexual behaviors at-home and abroad. Results Sexual behaviors, both penetrative and non-penetrative activities, decreased significantly (p < 0.001; McNemar test) abroad compared to at-home. International travel elicited a statistically significant increase in alcohol consumption compared to at-home (Wilcoxon, z = − 11.341, p < 0.001). Partner type (new trip-acquired partner) abroad was associated with a greater number of travel-acquired sexual partners (Mann-Whitney, U = 4901, p < 0.001), inconsistent condom use during penetrative sex (U = 7215, p = 0.009), and sex under the influence of alcohol (Test of Two Proportions, p < 0.001). Conclusions Although many young Canadian respondents practiced abstinence in their 2016 travel, for sexually-active travelers, new partner-type was related to high risk sexual behaviors. Young Canadians exhibited sexual risk behaviors both at-home and while travelling; suggesting the need for both domestic and pre-travel sexual health interventions. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | BMC Public Health. 2022 May 13;22(1):967 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13383-7 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.20381/ruor-27816 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10393/43602 | |
| dc.language.rfc3066 | en | |
| dc.rights.holder | The Author(s) | |
| dc.title | Sexual behaviors at home and abroad: an online survey of Canadian young adult travelers | |
| dc.type | Journal Article |
