Briefly

The study by Stickley et al. (2013) was based on a survey carried out in Arkhangelsk, Russia, among adolescents 13-17 years old. Evaluating the results of surveys and questionnaires, it should be taken into account that these valuable research tools have been largely discredited in Russia since the 1990s by means of widespread solicitations to partake in different surveys, often asking for private information: in the streets, per telephone, and also by agents coming to private homes. Answers to the questionnaires can be biased, especially in regard to such delicate topics as alcohol consumption and condom use. According to Stickley et al. (2013), adolescent binge drinking was not associated with "non-condom use during last sex". There are no reliable statistics, but the abortion rate in the former Soviet Union was reported to be the highest in the world (Popov et al., 1993), which was caused not only by insufficient availability of modern contraception but also by irresponsibility of some males (Jargin, 2012). Alcohol misuse was generally perceived as a contributing factor. Admittedly, an improvement tendency could be noticed since approximately the last decade or more (Jargin, 2013). The role of alcohol in safer sex decision making is broadly discussed in professional literature, the prevailing opinion being that binge drinking and alcohol consumption at sexual relations are risk factors for non-use of condoms (Medi? et al., 2014; Eaton et al., 2014; Howells and Orcutt, 2014; Leigh and Stall R, 1993). Admittedly, the topic is not without controversy (Davis et al. 2014; Cooper, 2002). However, data obtained by means of a survey in Russia should not be regarded as a weighty argument.

References Cooper, M.L. 2002. Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth: evaluating the evidence. J. Stud. Alcohol. Suppl. (14), 101-117. Davis, K.C., Masters, N.T., Eakins, D., Danube, C.L., George, W.H., Norris, J., Heiman, J.R. 2014. Alcohol intoxication and condom use self- efficacy effects on women's condom use intentions. Addict. Behav. 39, 153- 158. Eaton, L.A., Cain, D.N., Pitpitan, E.V., Carey, K.B., Carey, M.P., Mehlomakulu, V., Simbayi, L.C., Mwaba, K., Kalichman, S.C. 2014. Exploring the relationships among food insecurity, alcohol use, and sexual risk taking among men and women living in South African townships. J. Prim. Prev. 35, 255-256. Howells, N.L., Orcutt, H.K. 2014. Diary study of sexual risk taking, alcohol use, and strategies for reducing negative affect in female college students. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs. 75, 399-403. Jargin, S.V. 2012. About the treatment of gonorrhea in the former Soviet Union. Dermatol. Pract. Concept. 2, 12. Jargin, S.V. 2013. Changing pattern of alcohol consumption in Russia. Adicciones. 25, 356-357. Leigh, B.C., Stall, R. 1993. Substance use and risky sexual behavior for exposure to HIV. Issues in methodology, interpretation, and prevention. Am. Psychol. 48, 1035-1045. Medi?, A., Dzelalija, B., Ko?ul, K., Novosel, I.P., Dijani?, T. 2014. Risk factors influencing non-use of condoms at sexual relations in populations under heightened risk. Coll. Antropol. 38, 895-900. Popov, A.A., Visser, A.P., Ketting, E. 1993. Contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practice in Russia during the 1980s. Stud. Fam. Plann. 24, 227-235. Stickley, A., Koyanagi, A., Koposov, R., Razvodovsky, Y., Ruchkin, V. 2013. Adolescent binge drinking and risky health behaviours: findings from northern Russia. Drug. Alcohol. Depend. 133, 838-844.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared