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While it may seem as obvious as Santa at your local shopping center these days, researchers are emphasizing that alcohol can influence the incidence of risky sexual behaviour. This study-based research is making headlines as we enter the holiday season.
Researchers analyzed data from a variety of published, peer-reviewed studies. Researchers said that in experimental studies "there is a consistent significant effect of the level of alcohol consumption on intention to use condoms, indicating that the higher the blood alcohol content, the higher the intention to engage in unprotected sex". Interestingly, the researchers also concluded that, based upon studies with participants of varying personality types, personality itself is not the sole reason why alcohol and unprotected sex are correlated.
It is important to note that participants in these experimental studies either received alcoholic drinks up to a blood-alcohol level of 0.10mg/ml or placebo (non-alcoholic) drinks and were later asked about their willingness to engage in sex without a condom. There are limitations with this kind of research:
- Since the studies did not include participants who continued to raise their blood-alcohol concentrations beyond 0.10mg/ml with additional alcoholic drinks, it is difficult to accurately establish a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and unprotected sexual behaviour.
- Self-reported willingness to have unprotected sex differs significantly from actually having unprotected sex.
- Perhaps participants who were receiving alcoholic drinks became aware of their status in the studies (since alcohol consumption is perceptible) and altered their responses about sexual activity willingness.
The analysis found that for a 0.10mg/ml increase in blood alcohol content there was a 2.9% increased likelihood of participants reporting that they would be willing to engage in unprotected sex compared with participants who had consumed no alcohol.
Aside from the limitations identified above, the research findings highlight an important message during the holiday season where alcohol accompanies many celebrations: alcohol can influence a person's decision about whether to use a condom during sex. Celebrate the holiday season responsibly by:
- limiting alcohol consumption,
- engaging others to warn you if you have over-consumed and
- planning ahead by asking your sexual partner to insist on using a condom.
Learn more: Alcohol intake 'linked to risky sex'
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