Knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour among male soldiers in Sri Lanka Army

Introduction

HIV/AIDS can pose a threat to military preparedness and cohesion. Military in Sri Lanka too experience a very favourable environment for risk behaviours.

Objectives

To assess knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour among male soldiers in Sri Lanka Army.

Methods

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 600 soldiers selected using multi stage random sampling and a self administered questionnaire was used to collect information during the month of August 2007. Level of knowledge was decided using inter quartile range (25^th centile was considered as poor knowledge) and attitudes were assessed on a likert scale.

Results

Response rate was 99.5% (n = 597). A majority (88.6%; n = 447) had completed education up to GCE O/L. Level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS was satisfactory in 57.1% (n = 341). A statistically significant association of satisfactory knowledge on HIV/AIDS was observed with an educational level of ≥GCE A/L (p < 0.001) and period of military service of >10 years (p = 0.03) but not with area of service and age.

A majority of soldiers (55.7%; n = 333) had desirable attitudes towards HIV/AIDS which was significantly associatedwith an educational level of ≥GCE A/L (p < 0.001) but not with age, period of military service or area of service.

Ninety percent (n = 498) of them were currently sexually active. Nearly half (47.7%; n = 259) had their sex debut before 20 years of age A majority (80.2%; n = 481) have had premarital sex and 45% (n = 238) of currently sexually active soldiers reported having non regular sexual partners during last 12 months. Prevalence of consistent condom use with a non regular partner was only 21.8% (n = 52) where as only 37% (n = 88) had used a condom at the most recent sexual contact with a non regular partner. Reasons for not using were mainly perception of invulnerability (62.7%; n = 94) and non availability (24%; n = 36). Lifetime homosexual experience was 19.6% (n = 99). About one third (32.1%; n = 190) had not had any educational exposure on HIV/AIDS.

Discussion

Marginal level of knowledge (57.1%) and risky sexual behaviour existing among soldiers would create a conducive environment to trigger a possible epidemic endangering the general population too.