ChineduJohn-Camillus IGBOANUSI^1,, IstifanusAnekoson JOSHUA², Tukur DAHIRU³

Background: Among Nigerian Military Personnel (NMP), HIV prevalence has been reported to be higher than in the general population due to several factors. Data on HIV among the military are difficult to obtain and comprehensive program for the military in Sub-Saharan Africa were not well coordinated. This study assessed sexual history, behavior and practice of HIV/AIDS prevention among military recruits at Depot Nigeria Army in Zaria Nigeria. Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out on February, 2011 with a sample of 300 army recruits selected by a stratified random sampling technique. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, behavior and practice of HIV/AIDS prevention were collected using structured, self–administered questionnaire, and blood samples collected were screened using Determine^® and and Uni-gold^® test kits for HIV antibodies. Stat pak^® test kit was used as a tie-breaker. The data collected were cleaned and entered into SPSS version 15.0 and results presented in tables and statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: The age range of the respondents was 17 – 29 years, with mean age of 29 ±1.9 years and male: female ratio of 2.8:1. Majority (93.0%) were single with mean age at sexual debut of 15 years and 40.0% had coitus a month prior to the time of the study. About 21.0% satisfied their sexual urge by having sex with their partners. Two-thirds had used male condom before out of which 29.7% had problems such as reduced sexual urge (16.7%), burst condom (11.3%) among others. The results of the HIV screening for all the respondents were negative for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Conclusion: The sexual history, behavior and HIV/AIDS prevention among the military recruits showed mixed picture and the HIV screening results were negative for HIV 1 and HIV 2. There is need to have a well-coordinated HIV/AIDS prevention program that is multi-disciplinary and innovative among others to ensure the recruits remain negative for HIV.

sexual history, behavior, practice, HIV prevention, Army recruits, Zaria, Nigeria