Alcohol Use and HIV Risk taking Behaviours in a Military Setting.

Background Military personnel are well known to be at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection, and being mostly youthful, commonly use alcohol. Aim The aim of the study was to compare HIV positive and negative subjects with respect to alcohol use and abuse, condom use and multiple sex partnership. Method Using a survey questionnaire we enquired into the use and abuse of alcohol, knowledge about acquired immune deficiency syndrome, use of condom and number of heterosexual relationships in a group of HIV positive patients. Their responses were compared with those from a control group of HIV negative subjects. Results Married persons were more likely to be HIV positive. Use and abuse of alcohol appear to be risk factors for being HIV positive. The HIV positive and negative groups were well knowledgeable about AIDS, but they differed in the use of condom in terms of previous use or use in the previous three months. The HIV positive one were also more likely to use the condom inconsistently with prostitutes and casual partners. Conclusion Health education campaigns on HIV/AIDS need to include alcohol use as a major risk factor in addition to the other well known risk factors including multiple sexual relationships and non-use of condom. Factors contributing to higher risk in foreign mission service personnel are also discussed. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 10-13