‘What happens in Banff, stays in Banff’: contextual and interpersonal factors contributing to sexual-risk taking among tourism workers

ABSTRACT

Tourism destinations are contexts which are often characterised by unique norms for social and sexual behaviours which have implications for health and wellbeing. The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to describe the sexual risk behaviours of young tourism workers (TWs), and (2) to explore socio-contextual factors pertaining to safer sex among TWs. Banff, Canada was the study site. Twenty-nine TWs were recruited and interviewed in community settings over a two-week period. Five themes reflecting situational, interpersonal, and psychological factors that affected TWs sexual behaviour and risk-taking were identified: Party State of Mind and Sexual Behaviors; Transient Population and Relationship Context; Isolation/Insular Environment; Alcohol Use; and Norms about Condom Use. These findings suggest the transient population, insular environment, and like-minded perception of Banff as a ‘party place’ contributed to a culture among TWs that put them at risk for sexually transmitted infection and other sexual health concerns. Opportunities for education and intervention with this population are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Tourism
• sexual risk-taking
• condom use
• alcohol

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Robin R. Milhausen is a Professor of family relations and human development in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. She is an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and Research Fellow at the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention.

Cynthia Graham is a Professor in Sexual and Reproductive Health within Psychology at the University of Southampton and Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Sex Research. Her research interests are in the areas of sexual and reproductive health. Her current research focuses on four main areas: The behavioural effects of hormonal contraceptives; The relevance of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition to sexual health; Sexual problems in women; and Condom use errors and problems.

Richard A. Crosby is the Good Samaritan Endowed Professor in the Department of Health Behavior & Society. He has conducted HIV prevention studies in 21 U.S. cities and in Canada. His CDC-designated Evidence-Based Intervention known as Focus on the Future is his primary contribution to the field. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, authored more than 60 book chapters, and has edited or authored nine textbooks.

Hailey M. Ingram is a psychotherapist in private practice in Hamilton, Ontario. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph and her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto.

Maria Tetro received her Masters degree in Family Relations and Human Development at the University of Guelph. She is currently working in mental health and sexual violence prevention.

Nicole C. Bransfield attended the University of Guelph and completed an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Adult Development. She also received an Honours Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University. Currently Nicole works in intake services at a counselling agency.

Stephanie A. Sanders is a Professor of Gender Studies and Associate Director of The Kinsey Institute. Professor Sanders recently served as President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, and has been a co-principal investigator on research grants from such agencies as the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Sanders recently won the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

William L. Yarber is provost Professor in the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. He is also a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute and senior director of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention at Indiana University. Yarber is a past-president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality from which he also received the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award. Yarber is a member of the international Kinsey Institute Condom Use Research Team.

Notes

1 M = male; F = female participant; age.

2 [P] = Participant; [I] = Interviewer.