Examining the Sexual Health Experiences of Men Who Cruise Public Sex Environments: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Hepatitis Vaccination, and STI Clinic Use

J. Frankis, P. Flowers

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.[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]