Examining the sexual health experiences of men who cruise public sex environments: sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis vaccination, and STI clinic use

Jamie S. Frankis; Paul Flowers

doi:10.1300/J514v19n02_04

Examining the sexual health experiences of men who cruise public sex environments: sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis vaccination, and STI clinic use

Jamie S. Frankis^*, Paul Flowers

^*Corresponding author for this work

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

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
Pages (from-to)	45-55
Number of pages	11
Journal	International Journal of Sexual Health
Volume	19
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1300/J514v19n02_04
Publication status	Published - 9 Jul 2007

Funding

Jamie S. Frankis is affiliated with the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Community Health and the Department of Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. Paul Flowers is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. Address correspondence to: Jamie S. Frankis, NMCH, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK (E-mail: [email protected]). The authors would like to thank the following people and organizations for their help and participation in this study: Tim, Bob, Michael and David, whose voluntary research work made this study possible, Lee Dodge; as well as Stephen Nicholson, Orla Dunn, The Street Outreach Service, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority. Their greatest thanks go to the men who took part in this study. This study was funded by East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, UK.

Keywords

behavioural survey
gay men
health promotion
STI clinic use

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10.1300/J514v19n02_04

Cite this

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Examining the sexual health experiences of men who cruise public sex environments: sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis vaccination, and STI clinic use

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