SURVEY REVEALS HIV RISK FOR BACKPACKERS

01/05

A survey carried out by Sydney University, Australia, has revealed an alarming number of young people are putting themselves and others at risk of HIV.

Cari Egan, who carried out the survey of 559 backpackers aged 15 to 39, says that a high consumption of alcohol was to blame in many cases where inhibitions were lowered. Half of those questioned had had sex with a new partner in the last 3 days, with 39% having sex on the first day of meeting someone.

Alarmingly, 1% admitted being HIV-positive, and 50% of the 559 backpackers said they had not used a condom! 25% said they never used condoms.

These figures are alarming and this subject has been of concern to researchers and sexual health clinical staff.