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Correlates of HIV Knowledge and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Female Military Personnel

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Abstract

Uniformed services personnel are at an increased risk of HIV infection. We examined the HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual risk behaviors among female military personnel to determine the correlates of HIV risk behaviors in this population. The study used a cross-sectional design to examine HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual risk behaviors in a sample of 346 females drawn from two military cantonments in Southwestern Nigeria. Data was collected between 2006 and 2008. Using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual behaviors were described in relation to socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that level of education and knowing someone infected with HIV/AIDS were significant (P < 0.05) predictors of HIV knowledge in this sample. HIV prevention self-efficacy was significantly (P < 0.05) predicted by annual income and race/ethnicity. Condom use attitudes were also significantly (P < 0.05) associated with number of children, annual income, and number of sexual partners. Data indicates the importance of incorporating these predictor variables into intervention designs.

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Acknowledgments

Research was funded by a grant from the United States National Institute of Mental Health (Grant Number RO1 MH073361-02).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Community Health, University of Houston, Texas Medical Center, 1441 Moursund Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    E. James Essien, Emmanuel Monjok, Hua Chen & Susan Abughosh

  2. Institute for Health Research and Development, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria

    Ernest Ekong

  3. The University of Texas School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    E. James Essien & Ronald J. Peters

  4. Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research, 1700 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA

    Laurens Holmes Jr.

  5. Nell Hodgson School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Marcia M. Holstad

  6. Houston Department of Health and Human Services, 8000N. Stadium Dr. Houston, Houston, TX, 77054, USA

    Osaro Mgbere

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  1. E. James Essien
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  2. Emmanuel Monjok
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  3. Hua Chen
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  4. Susan Abughosh
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  5. Ernest Ekong
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  6. Ronald J. Peters
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  7. Laurens Holmes Jr.
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  8. Marcia M. Holstad
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  9. Osaro Mgbere
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Correspondence to E. James Essien.

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Essien, E.J., Monjok, E., Chen, H. et al. Correlates of HIV Knowledge and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Female Military Personnel. AIDS Behav 14, 1401–1414 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-010-9701-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-010-9701-4

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