Document 0945
 DOCN  M94A0945
 TI    Behavior patterns of HIV/AIDS transmission in the military in El
       Salvador.
 DT    9412
 AU    Wollants ES; Schoenenberg M; Concepcion F; Shor-Posner G; Baum MK;
       Central Military Hospital, El Salvador.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):245 (abstract no. PC0343). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371630
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To determine routes of HIV-1 transmission and risk behavior
       factors in HIV-1 infected individuals in the military. METHODS: HIV/AIDS
       cases among military personnel in El Salvador were documented from July
       1, 1988 to December 31, 1993. Serostatus was determined by ELISA and
       confirmed by Western Blot. Behavioral and demographic data were gathered
       using trained interviewers and standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: One
       hundred and fourteen cases (31 AIDS, 83 HIV+) were documented; 24 (21%)
       from medical referrals, 12 (11%) from surgical pre-operative laboratory
       testing, 32 (28%) from blood donor testing, 4 (4%) were surviving sex
       partners of HIV infected patients, and 41 (36%) were obtained from
       ongoing random screening research studies. The majority of the
       seropositive individuals were males (n = 106) between the ages of 20-38
       years, living in detached barracks in urban areas, near prostitution
       centers. Most (97%) were infected through sexual contact (sexual
       preference: 88% heterosexual, 9% bisexual, 3% homosexual); three
       patients (3%) were infected through blood transfusion, and none through
       intravenous drug use. Among those infected through sexual contact, 76
       (68%) reported having multiple partners one year before diagnosis. None
       of the subjects reported using condoms prior to HIV-1 diagnosis.
       DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Since the vast majority of HIV infection
       occurred through sexual contact, promotion of safe sexual behavior among
       the military personnel is clearly needed. The large number of documented
       potential blood donors, emphasizes the importance of maintaining blood
       donor surveillance.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*TRANSMISSION  Adult  Blood
       Transfusion/ADVERSE EFFECTS  El Salvador/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Human  HIV
       Infections/*TRANSMISSION  Male  *Military Personnel  Risk-Taking  Sex
       Behavior  Substance Abuse, Intravenous  CLINICAL TRIAL  MEETING ABSTRACT
       RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).