Open AccessA Pilot Online Survey Assessing Risk Factors for HIV Acquisition in the Navy and Marine Corps, 2005–2010
Author(s) -
Shilpa Hakre,
Adam W. Armstrong,
Robert J. O’Connell,
Nelson L. Michael,
Paul T. Scott,
David M. Brett-Major
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/qai.0b013e31826a15db.
Subject(s) - repeal , navy , condom , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , family medicine , demography , men who have sex with men , psychology , gynecology , political science , syphilis , sociology , law
The Department of Defense policy Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) ended in September, 2011. The Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center conducted a post-DADT pilot survey of HIV seroconverters identified when the DADT policy was in effect. Sailors and Marines newly diagnosed as HIV positive from 2005 to 2010 were invited to participate in an online survey. A structured questionnaire elicited risk information about the 3-year period before HIV diagnosis. Respondents reported engaging commonly in same sex sexual activity, having concurrent partners, and poor condom use for anal sex. In this first post-DADT repeal report of self-reported behaviors, male-to-male sexual contact was a much more common mode of infection than previously reported. Several opportunities for primary prevention messaging now possible after DADT repeal are evident.