Development of a survey to assess sexual health knowledge, behaviour and help-seeking of Australian-born men travelling to Southeast Asia: findings from the NEXUS2 study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Australian men travelling overseas to Southeast Asia for work or leisure are reflected in new HIV and STI notifications. However, behavioural, social and environmental data are limited. This study developed a survey to assess sexual health knowledge, attitudes and practices among Australian-born men traveling to Southeast Asia, and presents findings. METHODS: A 62-item instrument was developed to assess demographics, travel characteristics, sexual health knowledge, behaviour and attitudes. Validity testing involved face (n = 8) and content (n = 3) testing. Reliability was assessed via a test-retest (n = 35) using intraclass correlation coefficients. A convenience sample of Australian-born adult men who had travelled to Southeast Asia in the past 5 years completed the online, panel-driven survey. RESULTS: Overall, reliability results indicated considerable to high agreement in initial and repeat tests. Participants (n = 136) were predominantly heterosexual (n = 116, 85.9%), more than half were tertiary educated (n = 77, 57%) and employed full-time (n = 85, 63%). Nearly half (n = 65/133, 48.9%) reported sex during their most recent trip, with less than half always using condoms (n = 27/65, 41.5%). One-quarter (n = 32, 23.5%) purchased sexual services overseas. Most were unaware of post- (n = 77/131, 58.8%) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (n = 87/131, 64%). Just over one in 10 (n = 19/131, 14.5%) tested for STIs before travel. CONCLUSIONS: Participants demonstrated sexual health knowledge gaps, inconsistent protective behaviours and low awareness of prevention strategies. Findings warrant broader survey implementation to generate national data to support targeted interventions.
Source: Sexual Health
DOI: 10.1071/sh25145
Institution: Curtin University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7137111600