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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 7(2)

Sex and sport: sexual risk behaviour in young people in rural and regional Victoria

Fabian Y. S. Kong A E , Jane S. Hocking B , Chris Kyle Link C , Marcus Y. Chen D and Margaret E. Hellard A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Population Health, The Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.

B Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, University of Melbourne, 305 Cardigan Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.

C Women’s Health Loddon Mallee, 47 Myers Street, Bendigo, Vic. 3550, Australia.

D Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: fabian.kong@burnet.edu.au

Sexual Health 7(2) 205-211 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH09071
Submitted: 13 July 2009  Accepted: 28 January 2010   Published: 14 May 2010

Abstract

Background: To determine the prevalence of chlamydia and understand sexual risk behaviour in 16–29 year olds in rural Victoria through a chlamydia testing program undertaken at local sporting clubs. Methods: Young people were recruited from the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria, Australia between May and September 2007. After a night of sporting practice, participants provided a first pass urine sample and completed a brief questionnaire about sexual risk behaviour. Those positive for chlamydia were managed by telephone consultation with a practitioner from Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. Results: A total of 709 young people participated (77% male, 23% female) in the study; 77% were sexually active. Overall chlamydia prevalence in sexually active participants was 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.4–7.3); 7.4% in females (95% CI: 3.5–13.6) and 4.5% in males (95% CI: 2.7–6.9). Approximately 60% of males and 20% of females consumed alcohol at high ‘Risky Single Occasion Drinking’ levels at least weekly and 60% had used an illicit drug in their lifetime. Nearly 45% reported having sex in the past year when they usually wouldn’t have because they were too drunk or high. Sexually transmissible infection (STI) knowledge was generally poor and only 25% used a condom the last time they had sex. Conclusion: Chlamydia prevalence was high in our study population. Many participants had poor knowledge about STIs and low condom use. These findings combined with high levels of risky alcohol use and having sex while intoxicated highlights the need for programs in rural and regional Victoria that combine both STI testing and prevention and education programs.

Additional keywords: chlamydia, community, screening, youth.


Acknowledgements

We thank Maureen Todkill and Susan Rochester – the project’s regional coordinators; the local community health workers who assisted with recruitment; the study participants; the participating sporting clubs and their committees; the study advisory committee – Loddon Mallee Primary Care Partnerships, Mallee and Bendigo Divisions of GP, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Department of Human Services. We would also like to thank the Australian Department of Health and Ageing for funding the project.


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