Sexual Behaviors and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection among Thai Army Conscripts between 1992 and 1998

Abstract

This study examined changes in sexual behavior among Thai army conscripts from 1992 to 1998 in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence. The sexual behavior survey was started in 1992 during the epidemic of HIV infection in Thailand, when sexual transmission was the most common route and young men were at high risk, and it has continued yearly since 1995. The self-reported questionnaires were administered to randomly selected conscripts (N = 294 in 1992, N > 4,000 in 1995-1998), and trends in sexual behaviors were studied. The results showed that risky sexual behaviors generally decreased in relation to the decline in HIV seroprevalence, but the conscripts still engage in risky sexual behaviors. Appropriate interventions should be implemented to change these behaviors. The periodic sexual behavior surveys will be useful in evaluating program outcomes and planning for future interventions.

The uses of epidemiologic and public health approaches for HIV/AIDS control among young men in the Royal Thai Army and Thailand

“…There were a lot of research programs in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS among army conscripts and Thai young men in the areas as follows: 1) peer education and counseling 37 , 2) prevalence studies and trends [38][39][40][41] , 3) incidence studies [42][43] , 4) natural history of HIV [44][45] , 5) risk factors, risk scale, risk behaviors and trends 11,46-59 , 6) education and prevention programs [60][61][62][63] , 7) co-infection [64][65] and knowledge, attitude and practice [66][67] [68][69] The conscripts who participate in HIV testing will be counseled, know their HIV serostatus and can plan to consult the physicians to check their conditions for appropriate highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in case of HIV infection. This can prolong their lives and healthy conditions.…”

“Conditional scholarships” for HIV/AIDS health workers: Educating and retaining the workforce to provide antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa

“…as observed in Uganda (Hallett, Aberle-Grasse, Bello, Boulos, Cayemittes, Cheluget et al, 2006) and Thailand (Saengdidtha,1 The 88 developing countries are all developing countries for which data on ART need and ART coverage are available from UNAIDS/WHO (2007) (UNAIDS/ WHO, 2007). Lapparat, Torugsa, Suppadit, & Wakai, 2002) following successful national campaigns to reduce the spread of HIV. On the other hand, mortality among HIV-positive people depends inter alia on the speed of expansion of access to ART, people's ability to adhere to ART over their lifetimes, and technical advances that increase the effectiveness of ART.…”

"Conditional scholarships" for HIV/AIDS Health Workers: Educating and Retaining the Workforce to Provide Antiretroviral Treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…On the one hand, HIV incidence is a function of sexual behavior, which can change significantly over the course of a few years, e.g. as observed in Uganda (Hallett, Aberle-Grasse, Bello, Boulos, Cayemittes, Cheluget et al, 2006) and Thailand (Saengdidtha, Lapparat, Torugsa, Suppadit, & Wakai, 2002) following successful national campaigns to reduce the spread of HIV. On the other hand, mortality among HIV-positive people depends inter alia on the speed of expansion of access to ART, people's ability to adhere to ART over their lifetimes, and technical advances that increase the effectiveness of ART.…”