Olympic outreach: testing for sexually transmitted infections in construction workers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Sexual Health

Background:

• Concerns were raised regarding potential increases in sexual ill health among migrant construction workers before the 2012 Olympic Games in East London.
• Media reports suggested a link between the influx of workers and elevated sexual health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and identify sexual risk factors within the migrant construction worker population at the 2012 Olympic Park.
• To investigate whether the demographic changes associated with the Games led to a higher-than-average sexual health risk.

Main Methods:

• A sexual health outreach team conducted testing between 2009 and 2011 at the Olympic Park and Village.
• Data collected included client demographics, reported sexual behaviors, and STI screening results.

Main Results:

• A total of 614 clients were tested; 91% were male, with a median age of 30 years.
• Reported sexual risk factors were generally low, with infrequent use of commercial sex workers.
• Prevalence of STIs was low: Chlamydia trachomatis in 3% (20 clients) and one case of hepatitis B.

Conclusions:

• The study's findings did not support the public perception of migrant construction workers posing an elevated sexual health risk.
• Despite initial concerns, the observed STI prevalence was low, suggesting targeted interventions may not have been necessary on a large scale.