Rugby World Cup promoters should have spent a little less on flogging booze and a bit more on pushing condoms, say the authors of a study on those checking into sexual health clinics during the tournament.
The study, which appears in the latest issue of the international journal Sexual Health, found there was no huge change in the numbers of people visiting clinics during last year's event.
That was despite an estimated 133,000 people coming to New Zealand for the tournament.
However, the research found that about 7 percent, or 151 people, visiting clinics in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin, had had "RWC-related sex".
Of the 54 women, four reported their sex was not consensual, said study co-author Jill McIlraith, clinical leader at Dunedin Sexual Health Clinic, which was "concerning".
Most of those who had RWC-related sex had consumed three or more alcoholic drinks.
University of Otago Professor Jennie Connor said that was not surprising given the promotion and availability of alcohol around the event - and New Zealand's drinking culture.
Only about 20 percent had used a condom, which may reflect poor decision-making while drunk, the authors said.
More men than women attended clinics after RWC-related sex. They had an increased risk of some sexually transmitted infection diagnoses compared to other men attending the clinics.
They had twice the risk of chlamydia, three times the risk of non-specific urethritis, and five times the risk of gonorrhoea.
"This indicates that, for men, sex related to the Rugby World Cup may have been more risky," said Wellington Sexual Health clinician Dr Jane Kennedy.
The study's authors concluded that for future large sporting events, a reduction in the promotion and availability of alcohol as well as the continued promotion of condoms may reduce sexual health and other harm.
NZN