Alcohol and Sexual Health
Ipsos conducted this survey, which explored views on the potential impact of drinking alcohol on sexual behaviour, on behalf of fpa (Family Planning Association).
Technical Detail
The study was conducted online with 1,002 members of Ipsos's online panel who were aged 18-30 and had had sex/taken part in sexual activity and drank/had drunk alcohol. Two screener questions were used to establish eligibility for the survey. The fieldwork was conducted between 11 and 18 August 2009.
Key findings
The study found that alcohol is commonly seen as a factor in not using a condom with a new partner, regretting sexual activity and having sex with someone who would not normally be found attractive.
- 37% of those surveyed said they had `had sex with a new partner without using a condom'. Of this group, four in ten (40%) said that alcohol was a factor (either a great deal or a fair amount) in what happened;160
- 38% of all respondents said they had `taken part in sexual activity with someone and then regretted it later'. Of this group, seven in ten (70%) said alcohol was a factor in what happened; and160
- Over a quarter of all respondents (28%) reported having had sex with someone they 'wouldn't normally find attractive (fancy)', with around seven in ten (73%) of them giving alcohol as a factor.
Note: Participants were given the following instruction; `If a situation has happened on more than one occasion please indicate whether or not you had been drinking alcohol on any of those occasions'. They were then asked the extent to which they thought having drunk alcohol was a factor.
Download the data tables and technical report for further details View the press release from fpa
