Safer sex at holiday centres: providing contraceptive services to seasonal workers
Hennink, M.; Cooper, P.; Diamond, I.
British Journal of Family Planning 25(2): 45-54
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0144-8625 PMID: 10454654 Document Number: 283371
This research investigates the contraceptive behavior of seasonal workers at holiday centers along the south coast of England and focuses on their access to contraception and sexual health services. A longitudinal methodology was employed in order to identify the changes in contraceptive behavior, as well as strategies for seeking contraception and sexual health services throughout the season. The results showed a range of different motivations that influenced seasonal workers' use of contraception and sexual risk-taking while at a holiday center. This range includes those who are primarily concerned with pregnancy prevention or the protection against STDs, those whose contraceptive intentions are influenced by alcohol or desire for sexual pleasure, and those whose attitudes towards contraceptive use continually lead to experiences of unsafe sex. Categories of contraceptive protection have been developed to assist purchasers and providers in identifying the variety of sexual health needs of workers at holiday centers. The six styles of protection that describe seasonal workers' practices are: pregnancy prevention, relationship orientated, determined users, situational, passive, and unconcerned. The most effective strategies determined for delivering contraceptive and sexual health services to these workers are information provision and accessibility of contraceptive services.