Sexually transmissible infections and sexual risk behaviour among deployed, ship-assigned USA Navy and Marine Corps personnel
Daniel P. Triplett A B , Judith Harbertson
A B D and Braden Hale B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Emerge Solutions Group, San Diego, CA, USA.
B Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, Defense Health Agency, San Diego, CA, USA.
C University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: judith.harbertson.ctr@mail.mil
Sexual Health 18(2) 162-171 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20048
Submitted: 27 March 2020 Accepted: 27 January 2021 Published: 14 April 2021
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Background: Data show sexually transmissible infection (STI) diagnoses in USA military personnel engaging in unprotected sex are higher during deployment than before or after. We examined sexual risk behaviour, same-sex contact, mixed sex partnerships (both casual and committed partners) and STIs among ship-assigned USA Navy and Marine Corps personnel to assess increased risk. Methods: Data on sexual risk behaviour, partner type, gender, and healthcare provider-diagnosed STIs were collected longitudinally (2012–14) among sexually active personnel during deployment. Descriptive and bivariate data stratified by sex, STIs, and partner types were analysed using χ2 and t-tests, with statistical significance defined as P < 0.05. Results: The final sample (n = 634) included 452 men (71%) and 182 women (29%). STI prevalence among males was 8% (n = 36); men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 25% of total STIs, and 43% of MSM reported an STI. Among all reporting STIs, 29% reported occasional partners, service member partners (15%) and non-condom use (16%). The highest proportions of non-condom use (71%), alcohol before sex (82%), and same-sex partners (67%) were reported by participants with mixed sex partners; 69% of these reported service member partners. Conclusions: Personnel with mixed partners reported high proportions of sexual risk behaviour. MSM accounted for 9% of the total population, but 25% of all STIs. As the majority of those with mixed partners and MSM also reported service member sex partners, safer sex education and prompt STI identification/treatment among these groups could reduce STI transmission among military personnel.
Keywords: concurrent partners, condom use, military personnel, sexually transmissible infections.
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