HIV/AIDS prevention practices among military personnel in Northwest Ethiopia

AIDS Care. 2019 Nov;31(11):1384-1388. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1587362. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Abstract

The spread of HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in military personnel in Africa. However, the epidemiological evidence regarding HIV/AIDS prevention practices among military personnel in Ethiopia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate HIV/AIDS prevention practices among military personnel in Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study among military personnel (n = 410) was conducted in Northwest Ethiopia in 2015. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to ascertain factors influencing participation in HIV/AIDS prevention programs. About one-fourth (24.6%) of the military personnel had multiple sexual partners, of whom 24.7% failed to use condoms regularly when having sex with non-regular sexual partners. Majority of the sample (n = 355, 86.6%) participated in HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Military personnel who had multiple sexual partners were 6.3 times more likely to report history of non-participation in HIV/AIDS prevention programs (AOR = 6.3, CI95 = 3.5-11.54). A considerable proportion of military personnel had multiple sexual partners with lower levels of condom utilization with non-regular sexual partners. The study further demonstrated misconceptions about HIV/AIDS in Ethiopian military personnel, which reduce their likelihood of participation in HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Health authorities need to strengthen and accelerate HIV/AIDS prevention programs focusing towards military personnel.

Keywords: Ethiopia; KEYWORDS: HIV/AIDS prevention; VCT services; condom utilization; military personnel.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethiopia
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Military Personnel / psychology*
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Partners
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult