Risky business or not? FIFOs, sexual risk taking and the Australian mining industry. (25th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Mullan, Cathy; Debattista, Joseph; Browne, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Health promotion journal of Australia. Volume 27:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2015-11-25
• Subjects: FIFO/DIDO -- health promotion -- miners -- sexual risk taking; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- Australia -- Periodicals; 613.0994
• DOI: 10.1071/HE15011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1036-1073

Abstract

Abstract : Issue addressed: The fly‐in, fly‐out (FIFO) and drive‐in, drive‐out (DIDO) models of mining in Australia have led to concerns about adverse health and psychosocial impacts. Despite speculation that increased levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Australia, including HIV, are associated with FIFO/DIDO work, we know little about sexual risk‐taking behaviours in mining populations. This study explores differences in sexual risk taking and perceptions of risk between FIFO/DIDO miners and residential miners. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was administered to a sample (n = 444) of male miners working in Queensland, Australia. The self‐completed survey contained 49 questions relating to knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and included demographic information and specific items related to sex and relationships. Results: FIFO/DIDO status was not associated with any differential sexual risk‐taking behaviours, except for an increased probability of reporting 'ever being diagnosed with an STI'; 10.8% of FIFO/DIDO respondents versus 3.6% of others (x2 (1) = 4.43, P = 0.35). Conclusions: Our results appear to counter anecdotal evidence that FIFO/DIDO miners engage in higher sexual risk behaviours when compared with residential miners. So what?: Anecdotal evidence linking the rise of sexually transmitted infections with the FIFO/DIDO mining workforce could drive costly and unnecessary approaches to prevention. Further research, surveillance and monitoring are required to inform health promotion interventions. Abstract : Despite lack of evidence, there is speculation that FIFO and DIDO models of mining contribute to higher levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in Australia. This study explored differences in sexual risk taking between two groups (FIFO/DIDO miners and residential miners); our results found little difference in sexual risk taking between the groups. These findings are important for intervention planning aimed at reducing STI transmission.