Publication year
2014
Citation Title
Self-reported sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behaviors in the US Military: How sex influences risk.
Journal Name
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Journal Volume
41
Issue Number
6
Page Numbers
359-364
DOI
10.1097/olq.0000000000000133
Summary
A random sample of 10,250 Active Duty U.S. Military personnel who were single and sexually active were used to identify risk factors for self-reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) within the past 12 months. Results indicate that factors associated with reports of increased sexual partnership and reports of an STI differed by gender.
Key Findings
Binge drinking, illicit substance use, and unwanted sexual contact were associated with increased reports of the number of sexual partners in the previous 12 months.
The prevalence of binge drinking, substance use, and multiple sex partners was higher among men compared to women; women had higher reported prevalence of sexually transmitted infection, unwanted sexual contact, lack of condom use in last sexual encounter, and several mental health indicators.
For men, illicit substance use and unwanted sexual contact were significantly associated with reports of a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months.
Screening positive for any mental health indicator was significantly associated with report of a sexually transmitted infection only among men; screening positive for distress or reporting high family/personal life stress was associated with report of higher numbers of sexual partners among women.
Implications for Program Leaders
Provide education about avoiding the transmission of sexually transmitted infection to military spouses and Service members
Offer referrals for confidential testing of sexually transmitted infections support for people who have experienced unwanted sexual contact
Educate couples who have a history of trauma before deployment on positive coping skills
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage routine screening of Service members for sexually transmitted infections
Recommend adapting and testing existing gender-specific interventions for risky sex behaviors and stress among Service members
Recommend training for community providers to educate them about unique factors that contribute to risky sexual behaviors for military couples
Methods
Existing cross-sectional data from the 2008 DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors among a stratified random sample of Active Duty military personnel was used; data were obtained in group sessions or via mail survey.
Participants completed measures of alcohol and drug use, sexual risks/risk behaviors, and mental health.
Statistical analyses compared characteristics of men and women, and were used to determine which variables were associated with the report of increasing numbers of sexual partners in the previous 12 months.
Participants
A total of 10,250 sexually active unmarried U.S. Military personnel (67% male) who completed the DoD Survey were included.
Forty-three percent were age 21-25 years, 27% were 26-34 years, and 18% were 17-20 years. The race/ethnicity of the sample was as follows: 59% White, 16% Black, and 15% Latino/Latina.
Among the participants, 87% were enlisted, and represented the following service branches: 24% Navy, 22% Army, 22% Air Force, and 20% Marine Corps.
Limitations
The data are susceptible to self-reporting bias and worry about potential ramifications of reporting some of these behaviors.
This was a cross-sectional dataset and causality cannot be established.
Some variables were prone to measurement error (e.g., condom use, mental health variables), which may have skewed results.
Female Service members may have been more aware of their sexually transmitted infection status than males as they tend to be routinely screened at a wellness check-up and this may have skewed the results.
Avenues for Future Research
Include more information on characteristics of the sexual partners and encounters associated with sexually transmitted infection
Examine further the relationship between mental health, multiple partnerships and sexually transmitted infection risk specific to women in the military
Gather longitudinal data about risky sexual behaviors among Service members over time
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in male veterans has been linked with impaired family relationships and psychopathology in their children. Less is known about symptoms in children of veterans with partial PTSD. Objective: To compare mental health problems, family functioning and parent–child bonding among adolescent offspring of male veterans with no PTSD, partial PTSD and full PTSD, and to examine the relationship between adolescent mental health problems and family factors. Methods Consecutive outpatient adolescent offspring (12–18 years) of Croatian male veterans with no PTSD, partial PTSD and full PTSD matched for age, sex, educational level, family income, parental employment, nationality, and residential area reported on emotional and behavioral problems, family functioning and parent–child bonding. Results: The full PTSD group reported higher levels of total behavior problems, family functioning problems and parental control than the partial PTSD group, which in turn, reported higher levels than the no PTSD group. The partial and full PTSD groups reported comparable levels of emotional and behavioral problems, and parental care. The partial and no PTSD groups did not differ on maternal care, which was significantly higher in these groups than in the full PTSD group. Higher levels of emotional and behavioral symptoms were associated with lower levels of maternal care in the partial PTSD group.
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