Factor associated with risky sexual behaviors among the French general population

• Published in: Journal of public health (Oxford, England) Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 523 - 531
• Main Authors: Sicard, Sébastien, Mayet, Aurélie, Duron, Sandrine, Richard, Jean-Baptiste, Beck, François, Meynard, Jean-Baptiste, Deparis, Xavier, Marimoutou, Catherine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.09.2017; Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Epidemiology; Female; France - epidemiology; Human health and pathology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; Male; Middle Aged; Risk-Taking; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Sex Factors; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Unsafe Sex - psychology; Unsafe Sex - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; sexually transmitted infections; psychosocial vulnerability; risky sexual behaviors; polysubstance use; precariousness
• ISSN: 1741-3842; 1741-3850; 1741-3850
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdw049

Despite prevention programs, a rising incidence of sexually transmitted infections is currently reported in France. Research factors associated with risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) among the French population. Subjects aged 15-54 years from the French national survey 'Baromètre santé 2010' were included (n = 16 598). RSB was defined as having multiple partners or failure to use condom at first intercourse with a new partner over past 12 months. Factors associated were identified using one logistic regression by gender. The overall RSB prevalence was 9.5%, being higher among men (P < 0.001). Factors associated with RSB for both genders were young age (OR = 1.5), single status (men: OR = 7.1; women: OR = 6.4), homosexual relations (men: OR = 2.0; women: OR = 3.2), low incomes (men: OR = 1.5; women: OR = 1.4), use of cannabis (men: OR = 1.4; women: OR = 3.0). Men-specific factors were history of STI (OR = 2.5) and alcohol drunkenness (OR = 2.2), and women-specific factors history of suicide attempt (OR = 1.6) and history of sexual assault (OR = 1.6). Confirming most of known determinants of RSB, this study also identified some specific risky patterns for whom preventive actions can be developed: multiusers of psychoactive substances, people living with low incomes, women having sex with women or presenting history of psychological vulnerability (suicide attempts, sexually harassed).