HEA health programme manager Ruth Lowbury: Message not getting through

The HEA says a recent survey of 400 single people aged between 18 and 32 years who had just returned from their holidays found that 16% had had sex with a new partner while abroad.

Only half had used a condom every time they had sex. Women were more likely never to use a condom, despite being more likely than heterosexual men to pick up HIV.

Only 12% of those questioned felt HIV was a health issue for holidaymakers, although one in three people aged 16 to 24 felt they did not know enough about the risks of contracting sexual infections.

Alcohol

Around 82% of those surveyed said they felt alcohol was a major factor in people having sex on holiday.

Anonymity, loss of inhibitions in a foreign place, peer pressure and a perception that sex is accessible on holiday were also factors.

The HEA is launching a Safer Sex Campaign to urge young people to use condoms.

It is advertising its message on charter flights and putting up safer sex posters in nightclubs.

Risks

HEA project manager Katy Fitzsimon said: "Our survey shows that some young people still have unsafe sex when they go on holiday abroad.

"It is important that these people are reminded of the risks of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as often these are the same people who may take risks at home."