HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among South African military recruits.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of HIV-related knowledge, as well as high-risk behaviour and attitudes towards HIV, in a group of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recruits.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Tempe military base in Bloemfontein.


METHODS
Three hundred and thirty-nine recruits from one company.


METHODS
HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices based on a self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
All of the recruits were male, and most of them (81.4%) were black. The majority of recruits (98.5%) were between 18 and 24 years old. They had a good level of knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS, with more than 80% giving a correct response in most cases. However, several important misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS and its transmission still exist. Furthermore, several recruits still practised high-risk behaviour, such as not using condoms with casual or new partners. Most obtained their knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS from schools (34.8%), health and social services (27.1%) and the printed media (17.7%), while only 5.2% stated that they learnt about HIV/AIDS from the SANDF education programmes.


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts towards initiating behaviour changes in military recruits should be intensified, and if necessary education programmes should be adapted to facilitate achievement of this goal.
van der Ryst
E
E
Department of Virology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
Joubert
G
G
Steyn
F
F
Heunis
C
C
le Roux
J
J
Williamson
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013019:South Africa