[Risky sexual behaviour and drug use in recreational nightlife context. A gender perspective]. / Sexualidad de riesgo y consumo de drogas en el contexto recreativo. Una perspectiva de género.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the use of alcohol and other drugs and sexual risk behaviour, within the weekend nightlife recreational context. A survey was carried out in three Spanish regions (Balearic Islands, Galicia, and Comunidad Valenciana) with a sample of 440 young people (52.3% women and 47.7% men), aged 14-25, who regularly take part in nightlife recreational activity. Selection of participants was made using the Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) procedure. The results indicate that men had more sexual relations under the effects of alcohol and other drugs than did women; however, there were no significant differences between the sexes in the use of condoms, or in having had sexual relations that they regretted later on. Frequency of going out in the nightlife context increased the level of drug use and the probability of having sexual relations under the effects of substances. However, no relationship was found between frequency of going out in the nightlife context and sexual risk practices.

Sexual uses of alcohol and drugs and the associated health risks: a cross sectional study of young people in nine European cities.

BACKGROUND: Young people in European countries are experiencing high levels of alcohol and drug use and escalating levels of sexually transmitted infections. Individually these represent major public health priorities. Understanding of the association between sex and substance use, and specifically the strategic roles for which young people utilise substances to facilitate sexual activity, remains limited. METHODS: Respondent driven sampling methodology was used in nine European cities to survey 1,341 16-35 year olds representing youth and younger adults who routinely engage in nightlife. Participants self-completed questionnaires, designed to gather demographic, social, and behavioural data on historic and current substance use and sexual behaviour. RESULTS: Respondents reported strategic use of specific substances for different sexual purposes. Substances differed significantly in the purposes for which each was deployed (e.g. 28.6% of alcohol users use it to facilitate sexual encounters; 26.2% of cocaine users use it to prolong sex) with user demographics also relating to levels of sexual use (e.g. higher levels of: ecstasy use by males to prolong sex; cocaine use by single individuals to enhance sensation and arousal). Associations between substance use and sex started at a young age, with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy use before age 16 all being associated with having had sex before the age of 16 (odds ratios, 3.47, 4.19, 5.73, 9.35 respectively). However, sexes differed and substance use under 16 years was associated with a proportionately greater increase in early sex amongst girls. Respondents' current drug use was associated with having multiple sexual partners. Thus, for instance, regular cocaine users (c.f. never users) were over five times more likely to have had five or more sexual partners in the last 12 months or have paid for sex. CONCLUSION: An epidemic of recreational drug use and binge drinking exposes millions of young Europeans to routine consumption of substances which alter their sexual decisions and increase their chances of unsafe and regretted sex. For many, substance use has become an integral part of their strategic approach to sex, locking them into continued use. Tackling substances with both physiological and psychological links to sex requires approaching substance use and sexual behaviour in the same way that individuals experience them; as part of the same social process.