Influence of educational status and other variables on human immunodeficiency virus risk perception among military personnel: a large cohort finding

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk perception remains an effective determinant of HIV transmission. Although higher educational attainment has been associated with increased HIV risk perception, this predictor remains to be assessed among Nigerian military personnel (NMP). In a prospective coho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military medicine 2007-11, Vol.172 (11), p.1177-1181
Main Authors: Essien, E James, Ogungbade, Gbadebo O, Ward, Doriel, Ekong, Ernest, Ross, Michael W, Meshack, Angela, Holmes, Jr, Laurens
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Attitude to Health
Educational Measurement
Educational Status
Female
Gender Identity
Health Education
HIV Infections - epidemiology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Military Personnel
Perception
Prospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
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Summary:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk perception remains an effective determinant of HIV transmission. Although higher educational attainment has been associated with increased HIV risk perception, this predictor remains to be assessed among Nigerian military personnel (NMP). In a prospective cohort of 2,213 NMP, the effects of education and other factors on HIV risk perception were assessed at baseline by using the X2 statistic and unconditional logistic regression. There was an inverse correlation between higher educational attainment and HIV risk perception in the univariate model (prevalence odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.79). This association persisted after adjustment for relevant covariates in the multivariate model (prevalence odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.88). Similarly, there was a direct correlation between use of alcohol and marijuana and HIV risk perception (p < 0.05). In contrast, casual sex and gender were not statistically significantly associated with HIV risk perception (p > 0.05). This study indicates an inverse correlation between educational attainment and HIV risk perception, as well as a direct correlation between alcohol and marijuana use and HIV risk perception, among NMP. Therefore, HIV prevention interventions targeted at NMP need to include multiple factors that may affect risk perception regardless of the educational status of the participants.
ISSN:0026-4075
1930-613X
DOI:10.7205/MILMED.172.11.1177