Chlamydia infection, alcohol and sexual behaviour in women

Abstract

This investigation explored the impact of alcohol on sexual behaviour in relation to the possible increased risk of chlamydia trachomatis. A sample of 208 women were recruited aged 16–24 years who had been tested at a pilot site for the national chlamydia screening programme. This formed a prospective community case series using questionnaires, case note review and focus groups. Eight women took part in the focus group discussions. The questionnaire contained quantitative details of past and present alcohol use (e.g. ‘binge-drinking’) sexual behaviours and partners and beliefs related to chlamydia. The results of chlamydia screening and the answers to a question about having had treatment for chlamydia were grouped in relation to alcohol use. The main findings were that three variables were associated with increased risk of chlamydia. These were age at which they first drank alcohol; number of lifetime partners and alcohol consumed on a ‘heavy’ night by the sub-group who displayed binge-drinking.