Background: Young adults are at risk for HIV/STIs because of multiple sexual partners and low condom use. Travelling increases sexually risky behaviour and sexual contacts abroad are common. Better knowledge about young adults’ experiences of prevention efforts prior to travelling as well as what they would prefer in terms of prevention efforts are important when planning prevention efforts targeted towards this group.

Objective: To investigate the experiences of and attitudes towards prevention efforts against HIV/STIs among young adults in Sweden who have travelled abroad.

Method: We conducted 12 focus-group interviews and four individual interviews with young adults (20–29 years) who had travelled abroad within the last 12-months, altogether 48 participants. The interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Results: Only a few had any experience of prevention efforts against HIV/STIs. The majority welcomed the idea of prevention efforts prior to travelling abroad and would have welcomed more, preferably brief reminders, links to reliable websites or someone professional to discuss the issue with. Most of them would use the Internet to search for information. They proposed the possibility of reaching young adults through social media and the importance of receiving better basic knowledge in school.

Conclusion: Prevention efforts on HIV/STIs must focus on the use of established forums, when reaching young adults prior to trips abroad is difficult. Setting the foundation for a positive attitude towards condom use is needed during school years. Even social media, where there is the possibility for dialogue, should be used as an information source.