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Geographical Locations - Finland
 The WWW Virtual Library: Public Health
Categories
Country Information
- (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor: 406
- CIA World Factbook : Finland
Organisations and Networks
UN and Multinational
Government
Non-Government
- A-Clinic Foundation
A-Clinic Foundation is the leading substance abuse service provider in Finland, with 19 outpatient and in-patient service units, and activities in the areas of prevention, training, research and information provision. A-Clinic Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation.
- ENYPAT - European Network on Young People and Tobacco
ENYPAT is a network for specialists working in the area of tobacco control among youth and it aims to prevent tobacco use by young people through European-wide collaboration, information exchange and programme building. It is co-funded by the Public Health Programme of the European Union.
- Family Federation
The Family Federation is a social and health sector organisation focusing on families. The Family Federation’s goal is a society with a balanced population development and where families live a good life. The aim of the Federation’s activities is to support families, parenthood and partner relationships. We believe that a healthy individual living in a healthy family creates the foundation for a well-balanced life now and in the future.
- Finnish Association for Mental Health
The mission of the Finnish Association for Mental Health FAMH is to promote mental health and to have good mental health considered essential on all levels of society and in all spheres of life. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), FAMH stimulates interaction between individual people and communities, while activating citizens to work for the welfare of their own communities.
- Finnish Centre for Health Promotion
The mission of the Finnish Centre for Health Promotion is to strengthen the cooperation between different organisations and other societal actors and to promote the health and social welfare of citizens through cooperation with various factions. The fundamental task of the Centre is to create and strengthen such cooperation, to create initiatives, and to conduct campaigning and awareness activities.
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) is a research and specialist organization in the sector of occupational health and safety
- Finnish Medical Association
The Finnish Medical Association (FMA) is a professional organization of which almost all doctors practising in Finland are members. Values promoted by the Association include advancement of medical expertise, humanity, ethics, and collegiality.
- Finnish Red Cross
The Finnish Red Cross is one of the largest civic organisations in Finland.
- Healthy City: Turku (Finland)
The Turku Healthy Cities programme is based on the World Health Organization's strategy Health for All by the Year 2000. The Healthy Cities Project is an international development program initially launched by the WHO in the late 1980's. The Project involves European cities working together for a healthier urban life.
- UKK Institute
The purpose of the UKK Institute is to promote public health. Through research, training and communication the Institute supports people in adopting healthy life styles. Its aim is to promote physical activity and to reduce the number of injuries occurring at home or leisure.
Academic Institutions
National Policy and Related Documents
- Government Resolution on policies to develop health-enhancing physical activity in Finland
"In the recent 25 years pursuing physical activity as a hobby has increased among the Finnish adult population, but at the same time everyday physical activity, such as journeys between home and work and other active living, has decreased. It is noteworthy that less than half of the adult population move enough from the health point of view. Physical activity among children and young people is strongly divided. Some studies indicate that only one third of children move enough in view of their healthy growth and as much as one fifth of young people aged 15 to 18 years do not take any exercise. For older people too little physical activity means weakened physical capacity, which restricts their independent living and causes premature need for care." [2002]
- Health Care in Finland
- Pharmaceutical policies in Finland - Challenges and opportunities
This 2008 report by Elias Mossialos and Divya Srivastava for the Health Department, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland, states that “…Finland, like many other countries with well-developed health systems, has struggled with its pharmaceutical policy on issues such as needs-based universal access, cost–effectiveness (CE) and affordability of its growing drug budget. Incremental policy changes have been followed by some fairly drastic measures to control growth in pharmaceutical expenditure. There has been considerable public debate on pharmaceutical issues and the need for a more predictable overall strategy in this policy field…”.
Reports, Guidelines, and Projects
- Cases of Salmonella Urbana in Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia, January-February 2010
A cluster of 14 cases of Salmonella Urbana cases in Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia were identified in January-February, 2010. The majority of cases (11) were male and children under 16 years of age. The investigation is currently ongoing and comparison of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of the isolates suggests that the cases may have a common source of infection. [publication summary] [Euro Surveill. 2010; 15(11): pii=19511]
- Education in and the Practice of Dental Public Health in Bulgaria, Finland, and the United Kingdom
The aim of this review paper is to describe and compare specialist education in and practice of dental public health (DPH) in Bulgaria, Finland, and the United Kingdom (UK). These countries are the only three member states of the European Union in which the specialty is officially recognised. In each country, DPH is included in the undergraduate curriculum. Postgraduate specialist education is provided at universities and lasts for three years in Bulgaria and Finland and four years in UK. The training programmes in DPH are a mixture of academic and practical training. The academic studies cover oral health needs and demands assessment, use of information technology, commissioning and evaluating oral health services, promoting oral health and research, together with other related areas. The practice of DPH includes: leadership and management of health organisations, teaching, training, research, advising and evaluating. This paper discusses the rationale for a specialty of DPH at a time of changing oral health need and give examples of problems that have arisen when such advice has not been sought or has been ignored. [author abstract] [OHDMBSC, Vol. VIII, No. 2, pp. 30-37 - June 2009]
- eHealth strategies – country brief: Finland
"In order to consider Finland’s position regarding eHealth interoperability objectives the following eHealth applications have been examined: patient summaries and electronic health records, ePrescription, standards and telemedicine… A wide range of telemedicine applications has been implemented and runs as a regular service in Finland including telemonitoring, telediagnosis, teleconsultation and telelaborotory. Generally, telemedicine in Finland is regarded as a positive solution for overcoming geographical distances." [European Commission, October 2010]
- Family origin and mortality: prospective Finnish cohort study
Background: Death rates are notably higher in eastern Finland than in western Finland, and life expectancy of Finnish speakers shorter than that of Swedish speakers. The mortality differences correspond to recent genetic mappings of the population and are prominent for causes of death that are known to be associated with genetic risk factors. Methods: Using intergenerational data, we studied the impact of parental birth area on all-cause mortality risks of middle-aged men in Finland 1985-2003, assuming that geographic family origin reflects genetic predisposition to complex disorders. Relative death risks at ages 30-49 years were estimated by parental birth region and ethnicity, according to Cox regressions standardised for own education, family type at childhood, and year of birth. Results: The death risk of Finnish speakers born in eastern Finland was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.26) that of Finnish speakers born in western Finland, whereas that of Swedish speakers was only 0.60 (0.52 to 0.71). In Finnish speakers, the effects of own birth area and area of residence disappeared when parental birth area was accounted for. The death risk of persons with at least one parent born in eastern Finland was 1.23 (1.09 to 1.39) that of people with both parents born in western Finland. Conclusions: Parental birth area is the driving force behind the regional mortality difference in Finland. The findings highlight and give further support for the potentially important role of genetic risk factors in mortality. Close monitoring of persons’ geographic and ethnic ancestry may promote public health and avoid many early deaths. [author abstract] [BMC Public Health 2011, 11: 385]
- Good Research Practice in the National Public Health Institute
This book contains recommendations, guidelines and legislation concerning research carried out in the National Public Health Institute (KTL) . It describes the practices to be followed and comprises the most important international recommendations, Finnish laws and good practices to be followed in medical research. The book gives guidance on the preparation of a study plan, on ethical issues, on obtaining permits and informed consent as well as on funding issues.
- Health Care Systems in Transition: Finland
The Health Care Systems in Transition (HiT) profiles are country-based reports that provide an analytical description of each health care system and of reform initiatives in progress or under development. The HiTs are a key element that underpins the work of the European Observatory on Health Care Systems.
- Health in Finland
Contents: Part I: Public health and its promotion; Part II: Population, living conditions and lifestyles; Part IlI: Mortality, morbidity and functional capacity; Part IV: Major public health problems; Part V: Health differences; Part VI: Health and health needs at different stages of life; Part VII: Services and social security related to health and illness; Part VIII: Public health problems and need for care: costs and future outlook; and Part IX: Summary and conclusions. [National Public Health Institute (KTL), National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) and [Finnish] Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 2006]
- Health targets in Finnish national health policy
Precise health targets have never been an important part of the national health policy in Finland. The Finnish HFA 2000 strategy document included some quantitative targets but their role was not to guide policy but, instead, to illustrate the general aims of the strategy and show the anticipated effects of planned policy. The Finnish HFA 21 strategy, which is under preparation, may include a few targets covering major public health problems and facilitate action over a wide area. High quality health targets should be established and key methods implemented in order for those targets to be reached. [author abstract] [European Journal of Public Health, vol.10, no.4, pp.43-44, 2000]
- Integrated primary health care: Finnish solutions and experiences
Background: Finland has since 1972 had a primary health care system based on health centres run and funded by the local public authorities called ‘municipalities’. On the world map of primary health care systems, the Finnish solution claims to be the most health centre oriented and also the widest, both in terms of the numbers of staff and also of different professions employed. Offering integrated care through multi-professional health centres has been overshadowed by exceptional difficulties in guaranteeing a reasonable access to the population at times when they need primary medical or dental services. Solutions to the problems of access have been found, but they do not seem durable. Description of policy practice: During the past 10 years, the health centres have become a ground of active development structural change, for which no end is in sight. Broader issues of municipal and public administration structures are being solved through rearranging primary health services. In these rearrangements, integration with specialist services and with social services together with mergers of health centres and municipalities are occurring at an accelerated pace. This leads into fundamental questions of the benefits of integration, especially if extensive integration leads into the threat of the loss of identity for primary health care. Discussion: This article ends with some lessons to be learned from the situation in Finland for other countries. [author abstract] [International Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 9, 25 June 2009]
- Lead public health service dentists in Finland: leaders or dentists?
Aim: To survey the leadership roles of the Finnish Public Dental Service (PDS) lead dentists in a changing oral health care environment. Methods: Data were collected using an Internet questionnaire from lead PDS dentists (total N=265) on the following: how dentists became leaders in the PDS, what motivated them, their leadership styles and work wellbeing, whether they were primarily “leaders” or “dentists”, and their perceptions of their decision-making power in the municipal health care organisation. Factor analysis, chi-square and non-parametric tests were used to analyse the data gathered. Results: The response rate was 73%. Only 32% of the respondents had applied for a leading position in the PDS. The remainder had been asked or were “forced” to take it. A third (35%) were formally qualified for the post (i.e., had specialist education in dental public health). Most lead dentists (90%) had to treat patients in addition to working as leaders. Most lead dentists (66%) had good leadership motivation and appreciated the mental reward of being a lead dentist. As regards leadership styles, 88% felt that they were good people-oriented leaders and 61% good goal-oriented managers. Slightly more than half of the lead dentists (59%) could be identified primarily as leaders and 41% primarily as dentists. Lead dentists considered that, in general, their power in municipal decision-making was weak. Conclusions: Being a lead dentist in the PDS was not a highly desired part-time job in comparison with clinical work. Lead dentists had many of the same problems that studies on lead doctors’ roles have shown. [author abstract] [Oral Health and Dental Management, Vol.10, No.2, pp.55-63 - June 2011]
- Mortality in patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Finland, Estonia, and Lithuania: follow-up of nationwide cohorts
Objective: To assess mortality of population-based cohorts of childhood-onset type 1 diabetic patients from the Eastern European countries of Estonia and Lithuania and compare this information with recent data from Finland. Research design and methods: Estonian (n = 518) and Finnish (n = 5,156) type 1 diabetic cohorts were diagnosed between 1980 and 1994, and the Lithuanian (n = 698) cohort was diagnosed between 1983 and 1994. The mortality of these cohorts was determined in 1995. Life-table analysis, Cox survival analysis with covariates, and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were used. Causes of death were analyzed. Results: Survival after 10 years duration of type 1 diabetes was similar in Estonia (94.3%) and Lithuania (94.0%), but much higher in Finland (99.1%). In the Cox survival analysis with covariates, the country of origin and age at diagnosis were found to be significant predictors of mortality. The SMR for the Estonian cohort was 4.35 (95% CI 2.25–7.61), the highest for the Lithuanian cohort was 7.55 (4.89–11.15), and the lowest for the Finnish cohort was 1.62 (1.10–2.28). The most common cause of death in Estonia and Lithuania was diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and in Finland, it was violent causes. No deaths from late complications of diabetes have been documented so far in any of the three countries. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a high rate of short - term deaths due to DKA and inferior survival of childhood-onset type 1 diabetic patients in Estonia and Lithuania compared with Finland. In Finland, the survival of childhood-onset type 1 diabetic patients has improved and is only slightly inferior to that of the background population. [author abstract] [Diabetes Care 23: 290–294, 2000]
- National immunization program in Finland
In the national immunization program, all Finnish children are vaccinated against 9 infectious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, severe infections due to Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, rubella and influenza. In addition, vaccination against tuberculosis, hepatitis A- and B- , influenza or tick-borne encephalitis are given to those at risk of contracting the diseases. More than 95% of children are vaccinated according the optimal schedule. Vaccine preventable diseases are rare in Finland. In Finland, all vaccines are imported. The decisions regarding the vaccination program are made by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The National Public Health Institute is responsible for the control of the communicable diseases and the implementation of the vaccination program in practice. Evaluation of the implementation of new vaccines in the vaccination program is ongoing. [author abstract] [International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 66: 5, pp.382-389, 2007]
- National type 2 diabetes prevention programme in Finland: FIN-D2D
Objectives: Current evidence shows that type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be prevented by life-style changes and medication. To meet the menacing diabetes epidemic, there is an urgent need to translate the scientific evidence regarding prevention of T2D into daily clinical practice and public health. In Finland, a national programme for the prevention of T2D has been launched. The programme comprises 3 concurrent strategies for prevention: the population strategy, the high-risk strategy and the strategy of early diagnosis and management. The article describes the implementation strategy for the prevention programme for T2D. Methods: The implementation project, FIN-D2D, is being conducted in 5 hospital districts, covering a population of 1.5 million, during the years 2003-2007. The main actors in the FIND2D are primary and occupational health care providers. Results: The goals of the project are (1) to reduce the incidence and prevalence of T2D and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factor levels; (2) to identify individuals who are unaware of their T2D; (3) to generate regional and local models and programmes for the prevention of T2D; (4) to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility and costs of the programme; and (5) to increase the awareness of T2D and its risk factors in the population and to support the population strategy of the diabetes prevention programme. The feasibility, effectiveness and costs of the programme will be evaluated according to a specific evaluation plan. Conclusions: Current research evidence shows that the type 2 diabetes can be effectively prevented in high-risk subjects by life-style changes, which include increased physical activity and weight reduction. FIN-D2D explores ways to implement these methods on a national level. [author abstract] [International Journal of Circumpolar Health 66: 2, 101-112, 2007]
- Oral health in the Finnish adult population: health 2000 survey
A comprehensive Health 2000 Survey was carried out in 2000–2001.The survey was conducted in two nationally representative random population samples and in a third sample that was followed-up for 20 years. The sample that was studied in most detail comprised 8,028 adults aged 30 years or over. The other two populations surveyed were young adults aged 18 to 29 years and subjects who had participated in the Mini-Finland Survey 20 years earlier. The Health 2000 Survey included an examination of oral health. In subjects aged 30 or over, data on oral health were collected by means of interviews, postal questionnaires, clinical oral examinations (6,335 participants) and panoramic radiography (6,115 participants). This report describes the findings concerning adults aged 30 or over and compares the findings with those obtained in the nationally representative Mini-Finland Survey 20 years earlier. [excerpt from publication abstract] [Kansanterveyslaitos, Folkhälsoinstitutet, Kansanterveyslaitoksen julkaisuja, National Public Health Institute, publication no. B 25 / 2008, Helsinki, 2008]
- Providing integrated health and social care for older persons in Finland
"Equality, social integration, economic independence and safety plus fair treatment are the values underlying old-age care policy in Finland, and its aim is to promote the well-being and functioning ability of ageing people, and to ensure that they get good care and service when they need it. The national policy sets prerequisites for local policies carried out in municipalities, and the task of municipalities is to respond to local needs in accordance with the national legislation and with municipal priorities and resources Finland is thus representing the Nordic social welfare state model the central features of which are the principle of universality (a statutory right to social welfare in accordance with need), a strong public sector, tax funding, equal treatment and social benefits of a relatively high level." [Procare, March 2003]
- Review of national Finnish health promotion policies and recommendations for the future
"This report results from a request of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland to the WHO Regional Office for Europe to appraise the overall Finnish health promotion system – its past performance and future potential – in the light of the rapidly changing policy context of Finland within the wider world. Particular emphasis was placed on: consistency of implementation; short term and long term impact of policy processes adopted; factors that have facilitated reforms; relevance, appropriateness and timing; unplanned side effects (if any) of actions undertaken: and opportunities for future progress." [World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe]
- The Finnish Health Care System: A Value-Based Perspective
This 2009 report by Juha Teperi, Michael E. Porter, Lauri Vuorenkoski and Jennifer F. Baron "applies a value-based framework of health care delivery in order to provide a holistic view of the current state of Finnish health care. This report consists of three parts. Section 2 presents a brief overview of the general principles of value-based care delivery. Sections 3 to 7 then utilize these principles to analyze the Finnish health care system as it looks today. While the text aims to cover the essential features of the Finnish system, special attention is paid to aspects that are crucial from a value-based perspective. Finally, Section 8 proposes a set of general conclusions and recommendations for Finland."
- The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Finnish men and women over a decade
Objective: Our objective was to assess a 10-yr change in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) among Finnish men and women. Design and Subjects: Two cross-sectional population surveys were performed in Finland in 1992 and 2002. A total of 3495 participants aged 45–64 yr were included in the analysis. Results: In both years the metabolic syndrome was more common among men than women. In men the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome tended to increase slightlybetween1992and2002, from 48.8–52.6% (P = 0.139) based on the NCEP definition, and from 51.4–55.6% based on the IDF definition (P = 0.102). In women the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increased significantly from 32.2–39.1% based on the NCEP definition (P = 0.003), and from 38.0–45.3% based on the IDF definition (P = 0.002). In both sexes the prevalence of high blood pressure decreased, but the abnormalities in glucose metabolism increased between 1992 and 2002. The prevalence of central obesity increased in women between 1992 and 2002. Conclusions: In Finland the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, based both on the NCEP and IDF definitions, is higher in men than women. However, the increase in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, from 1992–2002, was significant only among women. [author abstract] [J Clin Endocrinol Metab 93: 832–836, 2008]
- The Social Patterning of Health, Smoking and Drinking in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland in 1994–2004
The Baltic countries share public health problems typical of most Eastern European transition economies: morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases is higher than in Western European countries. This situation has many similarities compared to a neighbouring country, Finland during the late 1960s. There are reasons to expect that health disadvantage may be increasing among the less advantaged population groups in the Baltic countries. The evidence on social differences in health in the Baltic countries is, however, scattered to studies using different methodologies making comparisons difficult. This study aims to bridge the evidence gap by providing comparable standardized cross-sectional and time trend analyses to the social patterning of variation in health and two key health behaviours i.e. smoking and drinking in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland in 1994-2004 representing Eastern European transition countries and a stable Western European country. [excerpt from thesis abstract] [National Public Health Institute (Finland), October 2008 (KTL A10) on behalf of the Department Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland and the Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland (Thesis within the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki)]
- The social patterning of relative body weight and obesity in Denmark and Finland
Background: Relative body weight is typically inversely associated with social status in affluent societies but studies comparing the social patterning of relative body weight and obesity in different countries have only seldom been conducted. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the social patterning of relative weight and obesity by occupational status, educational attainment and marital status between Danish and Finnish women and men. Methods: Data from the Finnish Survey on Living Conditions and the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey, both collected in 1994, were compared. Relative weight was studied by using body mass index (BMI), and those with BMI $30 kg/m2 were regarded as obese. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the social patterning of obesity in the pooled dataset. Two-variable interaction effects were tested separately. Results: Compared with their Danish counterparts, Finnish women and men had higher average relative weight and they were more often obese. There were no country differences in the socio-economic patterning of obesity by educational attainment, but a stronger patterning of obesity by occupational status was found among Danish women. Moreover, non-married women in Denmark were more likely to be obese than their married counterparts. Conclusions: Finns have higher relative weight and they are more often obese than Danes. The social patterning of obesity was similar in both studied countries but stronger in Denmark. [author abstract] [European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 16, No. 1, 36–40, 2005]
- Towards nationwide patient’s health data archive and citizen’s eHealth services in Finland
This paper shows the status and trends of eHealth applications in Finland. The results show that the expectations of eHealth applications are turning into reality and action plans towards new eHealth service models. Finland’s initiative to build nationwide archive for electronics health data is currently under deployment for ePrescriptions. More citizen-centric eHealth services are planned and implemented together with the more efficient service processes for elderly care. [author abstract] [Global Telehealth 2010 conference, 10-12 November 2010, Fremantle, Western Australia]
- Young Men's Sexual Behaviour in Finland and Estonia: Opportunities for prevention of sexually transmitted infections
Background: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in most EU states has gradually increased and the rate of newly diagnosed HIV cases has doubled since 1999. STIs differ in their clinical features, prognosis and transmission dynamics, though they do share a common factor in their mode of transmission − that is, human behaviour. The evolvement of STI epidemiology involves a joint action of biological, epidemiological and societal factors. Of the more immediate factors, besides timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, STI incidence is influenced by population patterns of sexual risk behaviour, particularly the number of sexual partners and the frequency of unprotected intercourse. Assessment of sexual behaviour, its sociodemographic determinants and time-trends are important in understanding the distribution and dynamic of STI epidemiology. Additionally, in the light of the basic structural determinants, such as increased level of migration, changes in gender dynamics and impacts from globalization, with its increasing alignment of values and beliefs, can reveal future challenges related to STI epidemiology. STI case surveillance together with surveillance on sexual behaviour can guide the identification of preventive strategies, assess their effectiveness and predict emerging trends. The objective of this study was to provide base line data on sexual risk behaviour, self-reported STIs and their patterns by sociodemographic factors as well as associations of sexual risk behaviour with substance use among young men in Finland and Estonia. In Finland national population based data on adult men’s sexual behaviour is limited. The findings are discussed in the context of STI epidemiology as well as their possible implications for public health policies and prevention strategies. Materials and Methods: Data from three different cross-sectional population-based surveys conducted in Finland and Estonia, during 1998–2005, were used. Sexual behaviour- and health-related questions were incorporated in two surveys in Finland; the Health 2000, a large scale general health survey, focussed on young adults, and the Military health behavioural survey on military conscripts participating in the mandatory military training. Through research collaboration with Estonia, similar questions to the Finnish surveys were introduced to the second Estonian HIV/AIDS survey, which was targeted at young adults. All surveys applied mail-returned, anonymous, self-administered questionnaires with multiple choice formatted answers. Results: In Finland, differences in sexual behaviour between young men and women were minor. An age-stratified analysis revealed that the sex-related difference observed in the youngest age group (18–19 years) levelled off in the age group 20–24 and almost disappeared among those aged 25–29. Marital status was the most important sociodemographic correlate for sexual behaviour for both sexes, singles reporting higher numbers of lifetime-partners and condom use. This effect was stronger for women than for men. However, of those who had sex with casual partners, 15% were married or co-habiting, with no difference between male and female respondents. According to the Military health behavioural survey, young men’s sexual risk behaviour in Finland did not markedly change over a period of time between 1998 and 2005. Approximately 30−40% of young men had had multiple sex partners (more than five) in their lifetime, over 20% reported having had multiple sex partners (at least three) over the past year and 50% did not use a condom in their last sexual intercourse. Some 10% of men reported accumulation of risk factors, i.e. having had both, multiple sex partners and not used a condom in their last intercourse, over the past year of the survey. When differences and similarities were viewed within Finland and Estonia, a clear sociodemographic patterning of sexual risk behaviour and self-reported STIs was found in Finland, but a somewhat less consistent trend in Estonia. Generally, both, alcohol and drug use were strong correlates for sexual risk behaviour and self-reported STIs in Finland and Estonia, having a greater effect on engagement with multiple sex partners rather than unprotected intercourse or self-reported STIs. In Finland alcohol use, relative to drug use, was a stronger predictor of sexual risk behaviour and self-reported STIs, while in Estonia drug use predicted sexual risk behaviour and self-reported STIs stronger than alcohol use. Conclusions: The study results point to the importance for prevention of sexual risk behaviour, particularly strategies that integrate sexual risk with alcohol and drug use risks. The results point to the need to focus further research on sexual behaviour and STIs among young people; on tracking trends among general population as well as applying in-depth research to identify and learn from vulnerable and high-risk population groups for STIs who are exposed to a combination of risk factors. [author abstract] [Thesis, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland, 2009]
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