title: Modeling covariates of self-perceived and epidemiologic notions of risk for acquiring STIs/HIV among military personnel: a comparative analysis.
abstract: This study examined the socio-demographic and selected behavioral characteristics associated with self-perceived and epidemiologic notions of risk for acquiring STIs/HIV infection using data from a cross-sectional survey involving 346 consenting female military personnel from two cantonments in Southwestern Nigeria. Findings revealed significant discordance in participants' risk status based on the two assessment methods, with Kappa coefficients ranging from -0.021 to 0.115. Using epidemiologic assessment as the "gold standard", 45.4% of the study population were able to accurately assess their risk levels through self-perception with significant (P < 0.01) socio-demographic variations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicate that STIs/HIV risk models using both self-perceived and epidemiologic notions of risk were significantly determined by different set of covariates. It is recommended that STIs/HIV prevention intervention should integrate the identified covariates and be targeted at changing individual risk behaviors and perceptions, as well as the social contexts in which risky behaviors occur in the military population.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Community Health, University of Houston, Texas Medical Center, 1441 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Osaro
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mgbere
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monjok
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abughosh
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ekong
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Holstad
authors.forename: E James
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Essien
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D055815:Young Adult