Abstract

Background. Alcohol and other drug use and sexual risk behaviour are increasing among young Australians, with associated preventable health outcomes such as sexually transmissible infections (STIs) on the rise. Methods. A cross-sectional study of young people's health behaviours conducted at a music festival in Melbourne, Australia, in 2011. Results. 1365 young people aged 16–29 completed the survey; 62% were female with a mean age of 20 years. The majority (94%, n = 1287) reported drinking alcohol during the previous 12 months; among those, 32% reported “binge” drinking (6+ drinks) at least weekly. Half (52%) reported ever using illicit drugs and 25% reported past month use. One-quarter (27%) were identified as being at risk of STIs through unprotected sex with new or casual partners during the previous 12 months. Multivariable analyses found that risky sexual behaviour was associated with younger age (≤19 years), younger age of sexual debut (≤15 years), having discussed sexual health/contraception with a doctor, regular binge drinking, and recent illicit drug use. Conclusion. Substance use correlated strongly with risky sexual behaviour. Further research should explore young people's knowledge of alcohol/drug-related impairment and associated risk-taking behaviours, and campaigns should encourage appropriate STI testing among music festival attendees.

Highlights

  • High-risk alcohol and other drug use are reportedly increasing among young Australians

  • The majority were born in Australia (93%, n = 1265), resided in or close to a major city (69%, n = 903), and lived with their parents (68%, n = 909)

  • The young people in this study reported drinking at levels well above those recommended in national alcohol guidelines [19, 20], and according to their Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)-C consumption score, at levels that would place them at risk for alcohol-related harm

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Summary

Introduction

High-risk alcohol and other drug use are reportedly increasing among young Australians. As recognition of young people’s harmful alcohol and other drug use has increased over recent years, so has concern about the sexual health of young Australians. The most recent National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health found that among sexually active students, one-quarter (23%) reported having had sex with three or more partners during the past year, and half (52%) reported inconsistent condom use (“sometimes” or “never” used condoms) during that time [12]. Alcohol and other drug use and sexual risk behaviour are increasing among young Australians, with associated preventable health outcomes such as sexually transmissible infections (STIs) on the rise. Further research should explore young people’s knowledge of alcohol/drug-related impairment and associated risk-taking behaviours, and campaigns should encourage appropriate STI testing among music festival attendees

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