Sexually transmitted infections and travel

Abstract

Purpose of review: The present review considers recent evidence on travel-associated sexual intercourse and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risks and travel with regards to risk behavior and implications of travel on communities. It highlights the lack of research in this area and topics for consideration.

Recent findings: A population-based study, and others, shows significant levels of sex abroad and risk behavior with inconsistent condom use despite increasing travel advice about risks. There is an increasing association of STIs in military personnel from local rather than deployment-associated sex contacts shown in United States and French studies, probably related to deployment of women. Innovative studies are showing the effect of female sex-tourism on the communities involved, and the sexual interaction and risk for tourism employees from tourists. New social networking apps require evaluation as to both their potential to increase and decrease risks. Travel sex continues to be a vector for the global spread of multidrug resistant gonorrhoeae.

Summary: New research challenges previous perspectives with changes to risk behavior in the military, female sex tourism, the change in social networks and ongoing risk behavior research and evidence of increased cross-country partnerships. The lack of high-quality studies evaluating travel advice to reduce risk is a key area for future work.