``One-night stands'' — risky trips between lust and trust: qualitative interviews with Chlamydia trachomatis infected youth in north Sweden

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
• Main Authors: Christianson, Monica, Johansson, Eva, Emmelin, Maria, Westman, Göran
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2003
• Subjects: North Sweden
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14034940210134158; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14034940210134158

Aim: The aim of the study was to get a deeper understanding of sexual risk-taking, by interviewing young people diagnosed with Chlamydia trachomatis. Method: This qualitative study was conducted at a youth clinic in Umeå, Sweden. Five young women and four men, aged 18—22, participated. In-depth interviews were performed. Open questions around certain themes were posed, such as thoughts about getting CT, sexual encounters, and attitudes towards condoms. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed according to grounded theory. Norms, events, and emotions were explored. The goal was to develop credible and applicable concepts concerning sexual relationships, risk-taking, and experiences of CT. Results: Informants revealed that behind their sexual risk-taking was a drive to ``go steady''. Lust and trust were the guidelines if sex was going to take place. When discussing ``one-night stands'' gender stereotypes occurred. Females were expected to be less forward compared with males. We found an uneven distribution of responsibility concerning condoms. Males expected females to be ``condom promoters''. By catching CT, females experienced guilt, while males felt content through knowing ``the source of contamination''. Conclusion: An important public health issue is to implement how males should play an equal part in reproductive health. General CT screening of males is one suggestion.