title: HIV/STI prevalence study among military conscripts in Estonia.
abstract: Risk taking behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) research outcomes vary among militaries. A common theme indicates STI prevalence and risk taking among military personnel is higher than the general population. Alcohol and drug misuse is well documented. From these behaviors, high-risk sexual encounters increase. Exploring STI prevalence, knowledge, and risk behaviors among conscripted military forces, we recruited 584 conscripts from a defense force in Eastern Europe. The observed STI prevalence in the young, male conscripts was equal or less than their non-conscripted counterparts. Military entry screenings could reduce STIs, creating a healthier population. However, these findings remain informative as the notion of high STI rates among military forces is not supported. As this study was one of the first of its type in the region, it demonstrates the ability of a nation to secure their defense forces against HIV/STIs even in the face of increased prevalence within that nation.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University, School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA, rdparker@hsc.wvu.edu.
authors.forename: R David
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Regier
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Widmeyer
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rüütel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: AIDS Behav. 2013 Jun;17(5):1734-45
references.pmid: 23080360
references.citation: Sex Transm Infect. 2012 Jun;88(4):266-71
references.pmid: 22223813
references.citation: Int J STD AIDS. 2011 Feb;22(2):73-9
references.pmid: 21427427
references.citation: Alcohol Alcohol. 2012 May-Jun;47(3):322-7
references.pmid: 22387338
references.citation: Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Dec 1;51(11):1314-22
references.pmid: 21034200
references.citation: AIDS Behav. 2011 May;15(4):761-6
references.pmid: 20703793
references.citation: PLoS Med. 2006 Jun;3(6):e171
references.pmid: 16752951
references.citation: AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2010 Aug;26(8):889-94
references.pmid: 20673143
references.citation: MSMR. 2013 Feb;20(2):5-10
references.pmid: 23461303
references.citation: AIDS. 2006 Oct 24;20(16):2120-3
references.pmid: 17053361
references.citation: Epidemiol Infect. 2011 Aug;139(8):1166-71
references.pmid: 21208514
references.citation: Int J Public Health. 2011 Apr;56(2):225-9
references.pmid: 20809349