The impact of a situationally focused individual human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted disease risk-reduction intervention on risk behavior in a 1-year cohort of Nigerian military personnel

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD)-related risks in peacekeeping troops is a concern when they are stationed in areas of high HIV prevalence. We carried out an assessment of a situationally focused individual HIV/STD reduction intervention (where avoidance of risk situations, as well as risk behaviors, are emphasized) in one Nigerian military unit (N = 1,222), with a comparable unit from the same service as a waiting list control (N = 987). The intervention consisted of a possible five modules that were presented to groups of up to 50 personnel. Data were collected on reported sexual behaviors, condom beliefs, sexual risk behaviors with casual partners, and number of interventions attended. Data indicated significant increases in reported condom use with casual partners and positive condom beliefs at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Risk behavior was reduced 30% from baseline at 6 months and 23% from baseline at 12 months. There was also a significant dose-response effect for number of interventions attended. These data suggest that relatively brief situationally focused individual interventions are effective in military and West African contexts in reducing HIV/STD risk behaviors.     

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome knowledge and risk factors in Ethiopian military personnel

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)-related knowledge and behaviors were assessed in face-to-face structured interviews with 314 Ethiopian military personnel. A significant finding of this research was the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risky sexual behavior. That is, military personnel who had inaccurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention were 3.4 times as likely to engage in combined sexual risk behaviors compared with personnel with accurate knowledge, after controlling for age, military rank, and marital status (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.86-6.22). This finding highlights the potential value of educational programs in slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.     

Evidence-based recommendations for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections in the Angolan Armed Forces: challenges and opportunities at the end of 30 years of war

OBJECTIVE: The goal was the development of culturally sensitive, evidence-based recommendations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention for Angolan soldiers. METHODS: Eight focus groups (N = 68) were conducted with Angolan soldiers in 2002. Qualitative data were analyzed for soldiers' HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs)-related knowledge and behaviors. RESULTS: More than 37% of participants reported having more than one sexual partner at the time of the study. Many soldiers had little knowledge regarding HIV/STI transmission and symptoms, and most did not use condoms. Soldiers identified the following factors that need to be addressed in HIV/STI prevention campaigns among military personnel: lack of HIV awareness and knowledge, limited condom availability and use, heavy alcohol use before sex, and the tendency to have multiple sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for prevention in the Angolan military are presented. A multifaceted HIV prevention program for the Angolan military that addresses informational, interpersonal, and system-level barriers must be implemented now.     

An exploratory examination of risk-taking behavior and PTSD symptom severity in a veteran sample

The present study conducted an exploratory examination of the relationship between self-reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and an expanded definition of risk-taking behaviors among 395 veterans at a large Midwestern Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were associated with elevated rates of substance use, thrill seeking, aggression, risky sexual practices, and firearm possession. Results indicated that suicidal ideation and aggressive driving behavior were among the most frequently reported. The present findings hold significant public health implications and highlight the need to attend to risk-taking behaviors in treatment planning.     

Assessment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and risk practices among female commercial sex workers in Isla Margarita, Venezuela

Sexual transmission represents the principal mode of transmission for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) worldwide. We examined the HIV-1 seroprevalence and risk factors for infection among 613 female commercial sex workers (FCSW) in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Recruitment was conducted in street venues and working locations. None of the FCSW tested positive for HIV; this correlated with the low self-reported rates of sexually transmitted infections (6%), drug use (<20%), and alcohol abuse (12%). Condom use and safe-sex practices were found to be practiced regularly (>80% of time) with clients; however, such practices were found to be very uncommon in nonclient relations (<20% of the time). Understanding the sexual risk behaviors, beliefs, and drug use patterns of FCSW is important for future development of effective public prevention policies and educational campaigns aimed at decreasing the risk of infection with HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections among FCSW.     

Knowledge and risks of human immunodeficiency virus transmission among veterans with severe mental illness

This study is among the first to examine knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and behavioral risks for HIV transmission among veterans with severe mental illness (SMI), a group at high risk for HIV infection. This study examined associations between accuracy of HIV knowledge, risk behaviors, and clinical and demographic characteristics in a sample of male veteran psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with SMI (N = 353). Results showed high rates of inaccurate HIV knowledge, with > 40% of patients demonstrating some inaccuracies, particularly those related to the progression and symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Inaccurate HIV knowledge was associated with older age, minority status, education level, marital status, no homelessness within the previous 6 months, and no reported history of illicit intranasal drug use. There is a need for more effective HIV prevention interventions for persons with SMI.     

Demographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial predictors of frequency of intoxication and other indicators as estimates of alcohol-related problems in Air Force basic military recruits

This study examined demographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial variables to determine predictors of Air Force recruits who are likely to have alcohol-related problems. Subjects were all Air Force recruits (N = 32,144) entering basic training from August 1995 to September 1996. The dependent measures were self-reported frequency of eight or more drinks per occasion, frequency of fighting while drinking, and typical frequency of alcohol consumption. Demographic analysis revealed that individuals high on any dependent variable were more likely to be male, older, non-Hispanic whites with some college. Lifestyle predictors included positive attitudes toward drug use and smoking status, with risk greater for females than males and for non-whites than non-Hispanic whites at the same smoking level. Psychosocial predictors included positive rebellious attitudes, decreased seatbelt use, and positive risk-taking attitudes, with risk greater for females than males at the same risk attitude level. These findings suggest that problem drinking falls into a broader category of risky problem behaviors.     

11239例海洛因依赖者HIV感染的临床检测

目的 了解海洛因依赖HIV感染的原因,为控制HIV蔓延提供依据。方法 对11239例海洛因依赖进行HIV血清抗体检测,并对阳性的吸毒方式进行调查。结果 HIV血清学检测抗体阳性反应36例,全部为静脉注射毒品滥用,有共用注射器具史和性乱史。结论 静脉注射毒品已成为我国目前艾滋病传播的最主要的途径,海洛因依赖为艾滋病高发人群。建议(1)加强对高危人群预防艾滋病的宣传教育;(2)对高危行为进行干预;(3)加强对海洛因依赖的血清学检测。以控制HIV流行。     

A brief review on correlates of physical activity and sedentariness in youth

INTRODUCTION: Better understanding of the correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in youth will support the development of effective interventions that promote a physically active lifestyle and prevent a sedentary lifestyle. The main goal of this systematic review is to summarize and update the existing literature on correlates of young people's physical activity, insufficient physical activity, and sedentary behavior. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted and included studies published between January 1999 and January 2005. RESULTS: The 60 reviewed studies showed that for children (age range 4-12), gender (male), self-efficacy, parental physical activity (for boys), and parent support were positively associated with physical activity. For adolescents (age range 13-18), positive associations with physical activity were found for gender (male), parental education, attitude, self-efficacy, goal orientation/motivation, physical education/school sports, family influences, and friend support. For adolescents, a positive association was found between gender (male) and sedentary behavior, whereas an inverse association was found between gender and insufficient physical activity. Ethnicity (Caucasian), socioeconomic status, and parent education were found to be inversely associated with adolescents' sedentary behaviors. For children, the evidence was insufficient to draw conclusions about correlates of insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior. CONCLUSION: To gain more insight in the correlates of change in physical activity levels, more prospective studies are needed. Moreover, further research is needed examining the correlates of insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviors, to develop effective interventions that may help children and adolescents diminish the time they spend on inactive behaviors.     

Protecting our militaries: a systematic literature review of military human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention programs worldwide

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review published studies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention programs targeting the world's military populations. METHODS: We systematically searched eight electronic databases (publications from 1983 to February 2005) and hand-searched the bibliographies of HIV/AIDS prevention reviews to identify evaluative studies of HIV/AIDS prevention interventions for military personnel. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-four abstracts were identified, of which eight met formal acceptance criteria. Four prevention interventions were identified, with each reporting a positive intervention effect on one or more of the following outcomes: increasing soldiers' knowledge of HIV/AIDS, willingness to engage in preventive behaviors, changing their attitudes toward greater compliance with prevention guidelines, and HIV/AIDS incidence and prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Published interventions to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS among military personnel are effective under certain conditions and with a limited number of populations. We discuss problems inherent in such research and make recommendations to improve the development, evaluation, and dissemination of findings of comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programs among military populations.     

A review of stairway falls and stair negotiation: Lessons learned and future needs to reduce injury

Stairways are a common location for falls, and they result in a disproportionate risk of death or severe injury. Stairway falls are a significant problem across the lifespan and are often coincident with risky behaviors during stair use. The mechanics of successful stair negotiation for healthy young and older adults have been well described. These studies imply that current stair design does not offer an optimal universal design to meet the needs of older adults or people with health conditions. In addition, impaired stair negotiation associates with more than impaired strength, including functional impairments of cognitive load, sensory function and central motor coordination. Identification of behavioral strategies or stairway environments that assist or hinder recovery from a loss of balance on stairs remains incomplete. Therefore, future studies should investigate the mechanisms of balance recovery on stairs as well as the effectiveness of environmental interventions to mitigate stairway falls and injuries. Potential areas for evaluation may include modifying stair dimensions, surfaces, handrails, visual cues, and removing distractors of attention. Studies should also evaluate combinatorial interventions on person-related factors, such as behavioral interventions to decrease risky behaviors during stair use as well as interventions on cognitive, sensory, and motor functions relevant to stair use. Moreover, future studies should take advantage of new technologies to record stair use outside the laboratory in order to identify people or locations at risk for stairway falls. Such studies would inform the potential for broad-spectrum programs that decrease the risk of stairway falls and injuries.     

Efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy program to reduce excessive drinking behavior among new recruits entering the Irish Navy: a pilot evaluation

This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention program designed to reduce excessive pre-enlistment drinking behaviors in a sample of Irish Navy recruits undergoing a 16-week basic training course. Participants were randomly allocated to either a treatment (TG) or control group (CG) (N = 13 each). The program was conducted over four consecutive 1.5-hour weekly sessions. Data were collected at pre and post intervention as well as at a 2-month follow-up. In comparison to those in the control group, participants who received the intervention reported increased scores (p < 0.05) in readiness to change drinking at time 2 and reduced scores in binge drinking (p < 0.05) at time 3. There were also marginal changes in self-efficacy and risky drinking behavior. This work adds to the evidence of the emerging efficacy of a workplace CBT intervention for unhealthy drinking.