The Importance of Military Conscripts for Surveillance of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Risk Behavior in Thailand

Current HIV Research
Kenrad E Nelson, Ram Rangsin

Abstract

The epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in Thailand began in 1988 among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) in Bangkok. It soon spread to other populations, especially Female Sex Workers (FSWs) and men attending STD clinics. Routine serologic surveillance for HIV began among military conscripts in 1991. The HIV seroprevalence data from military conscripts provided national surveillance data, since the entire population of 21 year old men were conscripted for 2 years' service in the military by a random process during which 10% of men were selected. Men with a history of injection drug use, or other risk behavior for HIV infection were included. HIV seropositive data were analyzed from cohorts of men who were conscripted between 1991 and 2011. Comprehensive behavioral risk data were obtained from the men in these cohorts in order to evaluate behavior changes in response to the evolving HIV/AIDS epidemic. After the Ministry of Public Health established the "100% condom" program in 1991, behavioral data and HIV prevalence and incidence data from military conscripts were important for evaluating the program. The HIV prevalence among Royal Thai Army (RTA) conscripts in 1991 was 4.0%. However, the prevalence was 11.2% am...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 10, 2021·Scientific Reports·Julius Eleazar dC JoseRam Rangsin

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