Trends in pre-military sexually transmitted infections and associated risk behaviours in Canadian Armed Forces recruits.

ABSTRACT: Background:Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have historically been problematic for militaries. Recent reports indicating that rates of STIs among young male Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are higher than civilians prompted a need to better understand CAF members' reported rates of STIs and their behavioural risk factors for STIs. This study examined the prevalence of self-reported pre-military sexual behaviours (i.e. number of sexual partners and frequency of condom use) and history of a STI diagnosis among CAF recruits attending basic military training using data collected from the Recruit Health Questionnaire. Methods:Data came from 50,603 recruits who participated in the survey between 2003 and 2018 (84.9% male, 78.6% Non-Commissioned Member candidates, 64.9% aged between 17 and 24 years). Results:Among sexually active recruits, the proportions who had more than one sexual partner in the previous year increased from 30.5% in 2003 (95% CI, 27.8-33.4) to 35.5% in 2018 (95% CI, 34.0-37.0). Of recruits who were not in an exclusive relationship at the time, the proportions who reported always using a condom decreased from 50.8% in 2003 (95% CI, 46.4-55.1) to 40.2% in 2018 (95% CI, 38.3-42.2). Overall, 5.5% (95% CI, 5.3-5.7) reported ever having received a STI diagnosis. Demographic differences by age and sex were also found. Conclusion:These observations provide an indication of the baseline, pre-enlistment STI risk behaviours, and STI history among CAF recruits, and may provide insight into avenues for targeted interventions and health promotion programming, such as education and screening initiatives.

SUBMITTER: Edge HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7556204 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature