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Mining, Sex, and STIs: Unearthing the Truth About FIFO Workers

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Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Are fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mining camps really hotspots for sexual risk-taking? New research challenges the stereotypes and reveals surprising insights."


For years, the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) mining models in Australia have sparked worries about the health and well-being of workers. One persistent concern? The idea that these remote work arrangements lead to increased sexual risk-taking and, consequently, higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The stereotype is easy to conjure: isolated, predominantly male workforces, flush with cash, and far from home. This image has fueled speculation that FIFO/DIDO workers are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. But is there any solid evidence to back this up? A recent study set out to investigate whether these assumptions hold true, comparing the sexual risk-taking behaviors of FIFO/DIDO miners to those of their residential counterparts.

This article will unpack the study's findings, revealing some surprising insights that challenge common perceptions. We'll explore the real factors influencing sexual health in the mining industry and discuss what these findings mean for the future of health promotion efforts in these unique work environments.

Challenging the Stereotype: What the Research Reveals

Miner's helmet with a glowing heart symbol

The study, published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia, surveyed 444 male miners working in Queensland. The survey delved into their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sex and relationships, as well as their demographic information.

The results? They might surprise you. The study found that FIFO/DIDO status was not significantly associated with most differential sexual risk-taking behaviors. In other words, FIFO/DIDO miners weren't necessarily engaging in riskier sexual activities than miners who lived in the communities where they worked.

  • The one exception? FIFO/DIDO miners were more likely to report having been diagnosed with an STI at some point in their lives (10.8% compared to 3.6% of residential miners). However, the statistical significance of this difference was marginal (P=0.35) , suggesting other factors might be at play.
  • The study also noted that factors like being in a relationship and increasing age were strongly associated with behaviors indicating lower sexual risk. These included being less likely to have multiple partners, less likely to consume alcohol before sex, and less likely to have sex with strangers or sex workers overseas.
  • Interestingly, higher levels of education were associated with a lower frequency of casual sexual encounters.
These findings challenge the widespread belief that FIFO/DIDO work arrangements automatically lead to increased sexual risk-taking. Instead, the study suggests that the picture is more complex and that other factors, such as relationship status, age, and education level, play a more significant role.

Implications for Health Promotion

The study's authors emphasize that linking rising STI rates to the FIFO/DIDO mining workforce could lead to misguided and potentially costly prevention efforts. Instead, they call for further research, surveillance, and monitoring to better understand the complex factors driving STI transmission in these populations. This includes looking beyond FIFO/DIDO status to address issues like alcohol consumption, education levels, and relationship dynamics.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What does FIFO/DIDO mean?

FIFO/DIDO stands for fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out. These terms describe work arrangements where workers commute long distances to work, typically in remote locations like mining camps. FIFO workers fly to the work site, while DIDO workers drive. This type of work arrangement is common in Australia's mining industry due to the remote location of many mines.

2

What was the main finding regarding STI diagnosis among FIFO/DIDO workers?

A key finding showed that FIFO/DIDO workers were slightly more likely to report having been diagnosed with an STI at some point in their lives compared to residential miners. However, the statistical significance of this difference was marginal. The research suggests that focusing solely on FIFO/DIDO status may lead to a misunderstanding of the real factors influencing sexual health risks.

3

What factors were found to be associated with lower sexual risk-taking among miners?

Factors like being in a relationship and increasing age were associated with behaviors indicating lower sexual risk among miners. Miners in relationships were less likely to have multiple partners, consume alcohol before sex, or have sex with strangers or sex workers overseas. Higher levels of education were also associated with a lower frequency of casual sexual encounters.

4

What does the research suggest for future health promotion efforts in the mining industry?

The research calls for further investigation into the factors driving STI transmission among mining populations. Instead of solely focusing on FIFO/DIDO status, it suggests addressing issues such as alcohol consumption, education levels, and relationship dynamics. Health promotion efforts should be tailored to address these complex factors, rather than relying on stereotypes about FIFO/DIDO workers.

5

Why is continuous research, surveillance, and monitoring important for understanding sexual health in mining workforces?

A crucial aspect of understanding sexual health in mining workforces involves continuous research, surveillance, and monitoring. These activities are essential for identifying trends, understanding risk factors, and evaluating the effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. By gathering comprehensive data and insights, appropriate and effective strategies can be developed to address sexual health concerns and promote well-being in these unique work environments.

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