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Alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of unprotected sex
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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A new study shows that the more alcohol a person drinks, the more likely they are to have unprotected sex. The spread of HIV is largely caused by unsafe sex, and it is a major risk factor for the global spread of disease.
Until now, there has been uncertainty about the causal relationship between excessive alcohol consumption and the spread of HIV infection. Scientists have been skeptical about the hypothesis that alcohol consumption influences the practice of unprotected sex, thrill-seeking, and the tendency to engage in risky behavior in general.
A study published in the journal Addiction presented the results of 12 experiments that analyzed this cause-and-effect relationship.
Scientists compared their results and found that alcohol consumption affects the adequacy of decisions. Everyone knows that large amounts of alcohol lead to a decrease in the adoption of reasonable decisions and make people neglect their taboos.
Participants in the study were randomly assigned to either drink alcohol or not, and their intention to engage in unsafe sex was then analyzed.
An increase in blood alcohol level of 0.1 mg/ml resulted in a 5.0% (95% CI: 2.8% - 7.1%) increase in the likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex.
Dr. J. Rehm, the project's leader, said: "Alcohol use has a causal effect on the likelihood of engaging in unsafe sex and should therefore be included as a key factor in HIV prevention efforts."
The general public does not believe that drinking alcohol puts a person at greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Therefore, public information campaigns and prevention programs should focus on these nuances.
Reducing alcohol consumption not only helps avoid the development of immune system disorders, but also reduces the likelihood of unprotected sex, thereby reducing the number of new cases of HIV infection.