Sexual behaviour and lifestyles of young men in Finland, 1998-2005. Cross-sectional survey of military conscripts.

Objective: To reveal sexual risk behaviour over time and to explore the associations of sexual risk behaviour, HIV-testing and socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, including alcohol and drug use among young men.

Methods: Cross-sectional, structured health and lifestyle survey carried out during the beginning of the mandatory military service. Data were collected from 10,446 randomized conscripts in 1998-2005, with a response rate of 95%.

Results: There was a minor increase in the prevalence of those reporting early sexual intercourse and multiple lifetime partners between 1998 and 2005 (age adjusted odds ratios [ORs] 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54-0.87] and 0.83 [0.70-0.99]), and a minor decrease in multiple partners over the past 12 months or engaging in high risk sex between 2000 and 2005 (ORs: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.08-1.41] and 1.45 [1.13-1.86]). No significant differences were observed in non-condom use and HIV-testing over the study period. Alcohol consumption had an independent, strong dose-contingent relationship with sexual risk behaviour. Illegal drug use showed a trend for similar but weaker association with risky sex as alcohol use.

Conclusions: This study shows minor change in the risk indicators over time, yet the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections has risen. More in-depth research to identify groups with risky sexual behaviour and multiple risk factors related to sex, alcohol and drugs is a matter of public health importance.