Sexual behavior and associated health risk in Spanish international travelers

BACKGROUND: TO know the sexual behavior of Spanish international travelers and its association with geographical destinations and sexually transmitted disease acquisition. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 1,008 consecutive patients who attended a tropical out -patient clinic during 26 months were surveyed by means of a previously des igned clinical questionnaire that included specific questions regarding sex ual practices during the trip. RESULTS: 19% Of travelers had sexual intercourse; 53.6% of them having empl oyed a condom. There were no differences regarding gender or destination. 3 .4% of travelers who had unprotected sexual intercourse acquired HIV. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of travelers have unprotected, risk sexual c ontacts. A low but alarming proportion of these cases become HIV infected a s a result.