Abstract
This paper examines the sexual health of men who ‘cruise’ public sex environments (PSEs). A cross-sectional survey (response rate 56%) recruited 216 men from an urban-based PSE in the UK. Half of participants reported lifetime STI experience and 16% reported an STI in the last year. Half attended an STI clinic in the previous year, with similar proportions vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Men who recently attended STI clinic (OR = 3.03) and those educated to A level or higher (OR = 3.12) were significantly more likely to report lifetime STI experience. Unlike commercial venues, PSEs do not represent centres of STI transmission. However, sub-optimal STI clinic attendance may mask undiagnosed infections. A public health imperative remains to encourage more PSE users to attend STI clinic on a prophylactic basis and increase hepatitis vaccination. Furthermore, the sexual health needs of PSE users with higher qualifications, in terms of STIs other than HIV, must be addressed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 45-55 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Sexual Health |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- gay men
- sti clinic use
- public sex environment
- behavioural survey
- health promotion
- Hepatitis B
- sexual behavior
- sexually transmitted infections