Evaluation of a Prevention Intervention to Reduce HIV Risk among Angolan Soldiers

Abstract

We developed and evaluated a military-focused HIV prevention intervention to enhance HIV risk-reduction knowledge, motivation, and behaviors among Angolan soldiers. Twelve bases were randomly assigned to HIV prevention or control conditions, yielding 568 participants. HIV prevention participants received training in preventing HIV (4.5 days) and malaria (0.5 days). Control participants received the reverse. Monthly booster sessions were available after each intervention. We assessed participants at baseline, 3 and 6 months after the training. HIV prevention participants reported greater condom use and less unprotected anal sex at 3 months, as well as greater HIV-related knowledge and perceived vulnerability at 3 and 6 months. Within-group analyses showed HIV prevention participants increased condom use, reduced unprotected vaginal sex, and reduced numbers of partners at both follow-ups, while control participants improved on some outcomes at 3 months only. A military-focused HIV prevention intervention may increase HIV-related knowledge, motivation, and risk reduction among African soldiers.

Patterns and Determinants of Consistent Condom Use Among Cameroonian Soldiers

“…Bing et al in a study on Angolan soldiers showed increased condom use, reduced unprotected vaginal sex, and reduced numbers of partners after a training and prevention intervention (21). However, in a recent systematic review by Lopez et al long-term gains of such interventions remained understudied and clinical evidence and effectiveness of such interventions remained low and nonconclusive (22).…”

Social Psychology and the Fight Against AIDS

“…IMB model-based HIV/AIDS prevention interventions have had a significant impact in the promotion of safer sexual behavior in a wide variety of populations, including STI clinic patients (Abdala et al, 2013;Kalichman, Cherry, & Browne-Sperling, 1999;Kalichman, Williams, & Nachimson, 1999;Simbayi et al, 2004), low-income women Belcher et al, 1998;Carey et al, 2000;Carey, Maisto, et al, 1997), IDUs (Avants, Margolin, Usubiaga, & Doebrick, 2004;Calsyn et al, 2009;Copenhaver, Lee, Margolin, Bruce, & Altice, 2011;Margolin, Avants, Warburton, Hawkins, & Shi, 2003), military personnel (Bing et al, 2008;Boyer et al, 2001Boyer et al, , 2005, MSM (Bowen, Williams, Daniel, & Clayton, 2008;Mimiaga et al, 2012;Safren et al, 2011), individuals with mental illness (Carey et al, 2004;Otto-Salaj, Kelly, Stevenson, Hoffmann, & Kalichman, 2001;Weinhardt, Carey, Carey, & Verdecias, 1998), adolescent high school and older adolescent university students (Cohen, 2000;Fisher, Fisher, Bryan, & Misovich, 2002;Fisher, Fisher, Misovich, Kimble, & Malloy, 1996;Jaworski & Carey, 2001;Kiene & Barta, 2006;Lemieux, Fisher, & Pratto, 2008;Malow et al, 2009;Metzler, Biglan, Noell, Ary, & Ochs, 2000;Morrison-Beedy et al, 2013;Peeler, 2000;Rosengard, 1992;Rotheram-Borus, Gwadz, Fernandez, & Srinivasan, 1998;…”

Men-centered Approaches for Primary and Secondary Prevention of HIV/ AIDS: A Scoping Review of Effective Interventions

“…Two military-setting interventions, involving men, found divergent results. A cognitive-behavioral skill-building interactive group session was found ineffective in influencing motivation or behavioral skills factors [49] while a 5 day military focused HIV prevention intervention was effective in reducing reported risky sexual behaviors and increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge [50]. Furthermore, a peer-mediated education and condom distribution program in male transport workers has been shown effective in altering AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behavior [51].…”