HIV Prevention in the Armed Forces: Perceptions and Attitudes of Regimental Officers.
BACKGROUND
Involvement of commanders and regimental officers is believed essential for a successful human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prevention programme in the armed forces.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was sent to 40 different Information, Education and Communication (IEC) nodes to elicit the perception and attitude of regimental officers/commanders. From each station, 40 regimental officers/commanders were randomly selected and information from 1002 valid and completed questionnaires was analysed.


RESULTS
Less than 50% could correctly assess the burden of HIV/AIDS in the armed forces. Only 41.19% felt HIV/AIDS is a problem serious enough to adversely affect operational efficiency. Majority had communicated with the troops on the subject of HIV/AIDS. The perceived threat of HIV being a problem in own unit was low. Though condom was often advocated, the felt need of condom in the unit was not commensurate with this advocacy. There were statistically significant differences in the perception and attitude among the three services. Only 7.08% of the officers emphasised the need of maintaining confidentiality while dealing with a HIV positive soldier.


CONCLUSIONS
Energetic advocacy on HIV prevention including condom promotion involving the regimental officers is indicated. Wider dissemination of surveillance figures generated at AIDS Control Organisation (ACO) is needed for apprising them about the menace of HIV in the armed forces.
Commandant, Military Hospital, Jallandhar Cantt.
Z
Z
Singh
Assoc Prof (Community Medicine), Padmashri Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Pune-18.
A
A
Banerjee
Condom promotion; HIV prevention
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