[Sexually transmitted diseases and sexual contamination with human immunodeficiency virus in the French Forces in 2006].
BACKGROUND
Servicemen constitute a group at risk for exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and for this reason specific surveillance of STD and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion has been conducted in the French Armed Forces since 1996.


METHODS
All cases of STD and HIV seroconversion occurring in military personnel and corresponding to the notification criteria are reported by a military doctor, wherever the diagnosis is made. Incidence rates are calculated based on numbers of military personnel provided by the Ministry of Defence Social Observatory.


RESULTS
In 2006, 67 cases of STD and 10 of HIV seroconversion due to sexual contamination were reported in the French Forces. The incidence of STD and HIV seroconversion was respectively 19.2 and 2.8 cases per 100,000. Gonorrhoea was the principal notified STD, with half of the cases of HIV seroconversion involving acute HIV infection. 59.7% of STD and 70.0% of HIV seroconversion were contracted in metropolitan France.


CONCLUSIONS
STD and HIV seroconversion remain a subject of concern for the French Medical Forces despite low rates of incidence.
Ollivier
L
L
Département d'épidémiologie et de santé publique Sud, institut de médecine tropicale du service de santé des armées (IMTSSA), direction interarmées du service de santé, SP 85 002, 00812 Armées Marseille, France. lenaickollivier@hotmail.com
Pommier de Santi
V
V
Morand
J-J
JJ
Romand
O
O
Desjeux
G
G
Mrabet
A
A
Verret
C
C
Mayet
A
A
Todesco
A
A
Migliani
R
R
Boutin
J-P
JP
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology