Inebriation, drinking motivations and sexual risk taking among sexually transmitted disease clinic patients in St. Petersburg, Russia

AIDS Behav. 2013 Mar;17(3):1144-50. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-0091-z.

Abstract

We investigated whether inebriation was associated with having non-main partners and unprotected sex with non-main partners and whether drinking motivations were associated with sexual risk behaviors among patients attending an STD clinic in St Petersburg, Russia. A cross-sectional behavior survey was applied to 362 participants between 2008 and 2009. Multivariate logistic regression was used for analysis. At-risk drinking per Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) criteria (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.4) was independently associated with having non-main sexual partners. Inebriation (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-8.1) but not at-risk drinking or drinking prior to sex was associated with unprotected sex with non-main partners. Among drinkers, the consumption of alcohol to facilitate sexual encounters (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.5) was associated with having non-main sexual partners. HIV prevention programs in Russia must address inebriation in addition to conventional patterns of problem drinking such as those measured by AUDIT-C and consider individuals' motivations to drink that lead to sexual risk taking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects*
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / epidemiology*
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Russia
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult