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.