ORIGINAL ARTICLE Drug use, sexual risk behaviour and sexually transmitted infections among swingers: a cross-sectional study in The Netherlands Laura W L Spauwen, 1 Anne-Marie Niekamp, 1,2 Christian J P A Hoebe, 1,2 Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers 1,2 ▸ Additional material is published online only. To view please visit the journal online (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ sextrans-2014-051626). 1 Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Geleen, The Netherlands 2 Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands Correspondence to L W L Spauwen, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, PO Box 2022, 6160 HA Geleen, The Netherlands; laura.spauwen@ggdzl.nl Received 4 April 2014 Revised 22 July 2014 Accepted 13 August 2014 To cite: Spauwen LWL, Niekamp A-M, Hoebe CJPA, et al. Sex Transm Infect Published Online First: [ please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/sextrans- 2014-051626 ABSTRACT Objectives Recreational drug use has been found to be associated with high-risk sexual behaviour and with sexually transmitted infections (STI). This study is the first to assess the prevalence of drug use among swingers (heterosexuals who, as a couple, practise mate swapping or group sex, and/or visit sex clubs for couples), and its association with high-risk sexual behaviour and STI. Methods We recruited individuals who self-identified as swingers and visited our STI clinic (from 2009 to 2012, South Limburg, The Netherlands). Participants (n=289; median age 45 years; 49% female) filled in a self-administered questionnaire on their sexual and drug use behaviour while swinging, over the preceding 6 months. We assessed associations between sexual behaviour, drug use and STI diagnoses (Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG), syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B) using logistic regression analyses. Results Overall, the prevalence of CT and/or NG was 13%. No other STIs were observed. Seventy-nine percent of swingers reported recreational drug use (including alcohol and use of erectile dysfunction drugs); 46% of them reported multiple drug use. Recreational drug use excluding alcohol and erectile dysfunction drugs (reported by 48%) was associated with high-risk behaviours in men and women. Drug use was independently associated with STI in female swingers, especially those who practice group sex. Conclusions High rates of multiple drug use, as well as risky sexual behaviour and STIs among swingers, warrant paying more attention to this key population in prevention and care, as they are a risk group that is generally under- recognised and underserved in care. BACKGROUND Recreational drug use is associated with high-risk sexual behaviour or sexually transmitted infections (STI). 1–5 Previous studies on the association between drug use and STI focused on women and on men who have sex with men (MSM), but no such data are avail- able for swingers (heterosexuals who, as a couple, prac- tise mate swapping or group sex, and/or visit sex clubs for couples). Swingers have recently been classified as an emerging high-risk group for STI. 6 High-risk sexual behaviours, such as having multiple sex partners, group sex and a high rate of unprotected sex are common among swingers. 6–8 By definition, swingers are also involved in concurrent sex, as they have over- lapping partnerships over a fixed period of time. 9 Participants in a pilot study among visitors to a single swingers club in Canada reported that alcohol consumption was limited. Drug use was neither reported nor observed. 10 However, respon- dents did report high numbers engaging in unpro- tected sex and rarely accessing STI health services. An earlier pilot study in The Netherlands found a higher prevalence of drug use (70%) among a sample of 57 swinger couples. 8 The prevalence of drug use was lower (55%) among swingers who visit sex clubs. The type of drugs used was not studied. The scarce data available about swingers indicates that drug use may not be uncommon, yet we lack knowledge about the prevalence, types, combina- tions and frequency of drug use among swingers. Swingers are at high risk for STI and engage in risky sex with many (concurrent) partners, yet they are generally under-recognised in healthcare. They can play a key role in the transmission of infections, both within their own network and to other popu- lations. We hypothesised that drug use by swingers during sex is associated with risky sex and STIs. This study assessed the prevalence of multiple types of drug use while swinging by female and male swingers who visited our STI clinic. We also studied the associations between drug use and STI risk behaviour and diagnosed STI. The results might inform more efficient STI control strategies and drug use intervention strategies for swingers. METHODS Study population The study population included self-identified swin- gers visiting the STI clinic of the South Limburg Public Health Service for STI testing, representing 16% of our clinic population. Since 2007, our clinic has systematically registered whether a visitor is a swinger or not (ie, when they were part of a heterosexual couple, and as a couple, had sex with other couples and/or singles; or couples and singles who had sex with these heterosexual couples during the past year). 6 From 2009 to 2012, we approached all visiting swingers (n=1023) for par- ticipation in this study. This paper presents data from the 289 participants (28% response rate) who filled in a self-administered questionnaire after giving written informed consent, and who had been active as a swinger during the preceding 6 months. Of the non-participants, 51% were female, their median age was 42 years (IQR: 37– 47), and the Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)/Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) point-prevalence (at their first clinic consultation) was 10%. Between 2009 and Spauwen LWL, et al. Sex Transm Infect 2014;0:1–6. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2014-051626 1 Behaviour STI Online First, published on October 23, 2014 as 10.1136/sextrans-2014-051626 Copyright Article author (or their employer) 2014. Produced by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd under licence. group.bmj.com on November 12, 2014 - Published by http://sti.bmj.com/ Downloaded from