Global HIV Prevention, Testing, and Counseling in Military Populations

Title:Global HIV Prevention, Testing, and Counseling in Military Populations

Volume: 15 Issue: 2

Author(s): Michael P. Grillo*, Margo Sloan, Che Wankie, Kelly Woodland, Elizabeth Reader, Bruce Porter, Richard Shaffer, Caroline A. Macera and Marc Bulterys

Affiliation:

• Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Program, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA 92106,United States

Keywords: HIV, military, prevention, sexually transmitted infection, condoms, male circumcision, mother-to-child transmission, sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract: Background: Compared with the general population in low- and middle-income countries, military members tend to be male, young, travel more frequently away from their main sexual partners, drink more alcohol and have a consistent source of income. All of these factors may lead to an increased risk of contracting HIV.

Objective: In response, the Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program advocates for the integration of HIV prevention “building blocks” into military health services to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV among foreign uniformed services.

Method: The building blocks include basic HIV education including outreach, condom promotion, enabling HIV policies, HIV testing services, screening for sexually transmitted infections, voluntary medical male circumcision where appropriate, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and other supportive services.

Conclusion: The Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs supports implementation of these building blocks though partnerships with foreign militaries. This comprehensive prevention package, when closely linked with HIV treatment services, is the cornerstone of creating an HIVfree generation in military and surrounding communities worldwide.

Cite this article as:

Grillo P. Michael*, Sloan Margo, Wankie Che , Woodland Kelly , Reader Elizabeth , Porter Bruce , Shaffer Richard, A. Macera Caroline and Bulterys Marc , Global HIV Prevention, Testing, and Counseling in Military Populations, Current HIV Research 2017; 15 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X15666170516170412

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X15666170516170412	Print ISSN 1570-162X
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1873-4251