Sexual risk-taking following relationship break-ups

Abstract

Background Changes in sexual behaviour over time have resulted in more frequent relationship break-ups, which carry specific sexual health challenges that we aim to explore in this study.

Study design The data were drawn from the French sexual behaviour survey, comprising a random sample of 4,798 women and 4,045 men aged 18–44 years. Logistic regression models were used to describe the associations between recent relationship break-ups and reported sexually transmitted infections and abortions over the same period, and being tested positive for Chlamydia at the time of the survey.

Results Respondents who had experienced a break-up in the last five years (32% of women and 35% of men among respondents who were sexually active in the last five years) were more likely to report an abortion during the same time period (9% vs.5%, p < 0.001) and to be tested positive for Chlamydia at the time of interview (3% vs. 1%, p = 0.003), especially those aged 30–44. Women were less likely than men to have used a condom with a new partner after the separation (76% vs. 82%, p = 0.005), which suggests gender asymmetry in preventive issues following a break-up.

Conclusions This study shows that relationship dissolution is associated with higher sexual risk taking, especially among middle-aged adults.

Keywords:

• Sexual risks
• Abortion
• Sexually transmitted infection
• Sexual behaviour

Acknowledgements

The CSF study was carried out with the financial support of the French National Agency of Aids Research (ANRS). The Fondation de France, the Institut National de la Prévention et d'Education pour la Santé, and the Direction de la Recherche des Etudes Economiques et Sociales (DREES) also funded the study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.