Military personnel may need more HIV education

 

When President Obama repealed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy in the military, which prevented openly gay individuals from serving in the military, there were a number of studies conducted to determine how this would affect service members. Now, a study published in JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes has shown that even when this ban was in place, same-sex partners and inconsistent condom use were among the major risk factors for HIV infection among U.S. Navy and Marines personnel.

According to the researchers, these findings suggest that now that DADT has been repealed, there may be an opportunity for more effective sexual education programs in the military to address concerns regarding homosexuals and HIV.

The scientists conducted a survey of 250 U.S. Navy and Marines personnel newly diagnosed with HIV from 2005 to 2010, which is when DADT was in place. Many of the respondents reported that they used condoms infrequently, especially while engaging in anal sex. This suggests that more awareness programs are needed to educate these individuals on the dangers of HIV and how it is spread.

The scientists stated that men who have sex with men account for most of the new HIV infections in the Navy and Military, as is the case within the civilian population. This is why it's important for health officials to be able to openly address these individuals in the military without fear of them being persecuted.

"More than three-quarters of respondents were surprised at their HIV test result. DADT repeal may afford opportunities for facilitating necessary primary HIV prevention strategies such as those targeting condom use and newer social outlets such as Internet networking," wrote the study authors from the U.S. Military HIV Research Program.