1. Since I am associated with UNITED NATIONS as an advisor on AIDS/RARE diseases,I have felt that UN PEACE KEEPING FORCES and the Armed Forces of each nation should take under mentioned steps to prevent and control AIDS/HIV infection.Surveillance data on HIV in the armed forces will help in adopting preventive procedures.
2. The total number of confirmed HIV positive personnel detected in the services is showing an increasing trend. The number of reported cases, however, may not reflect the exact magnitude of the problem, since they are dependent on the number of persons who have been subject to testing.
3. Analysis of HIV surveillance data suggests the following lines for planning preventive strategies:-
(a) The largest group, age wise , includes the recruits/cadets and young service personnel having 2 to 8 years of service , being more susceptible to changing psychosocial environment and being sexually more active.
(b) The large group also includes current of past patients of STD and those who are known to be promiscuous/visitors to Commercial Sex Workers .Being at high risk themselves their proper education and motivation will be useful not only for prevention of the disease but also to transform them into a ‘peer group’ which can exert positive influence on their friends who are also likely to be having similar attitudes to wards promiscuous sex.
(c) Junior level commanders (section/platoon/company commanders – NCOs, JCOs and officers; and their equivalent appointments in Navy and Air force ) are in close contact with younger soldiers and thus exert a strong influence on their behaviour . Thus educating the junior level commanders in prevention of HIV infection may give fruitful results in overall prevention/control strategy.
(d) Commercial sex workers (CSWs) are the major spreader of HIV infection in forces of any country . Preventive strategy, therefore, should direct educating the high – risk groups as regards the high risk of sexual contact with CSWs. In addition, promotion of condom use directed towards the promiscuous person’s needs to be stepped up.
(e) Hospital sterilization/disinfection procedures should be properly observed at all health café facilities form hospital upwards. Troops need to be educated on hazards of taking treatment, particularly injections and blood transfusions in the civil form unqualified practitioners, clinics and hospitals.
(f) Educational programs for prevention of HIV infection should be carried out in the training centre./academics.
(g) Training of all categories of medical personnel in prevention of transmission in health care settings as well as in imparting health education on HIV/AIDS to clientele is also very important.
