Zahid Rathore, MPH¹, Warren B. Sateren, MPH², Philip O. Renzullo, PhD, MPH³, Mark J. Milazzo³, Darrell E. Singer, MD², and Jose L. Sanchez, MD². (1) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The George Washington University, School of Public Health & Health Services, 1901 Ingleside Terrace, NW, # 302, Washington, DC 20010, 202-986-4460, zrathore@alumni.bates.edu, (2) Division of Retrovirology, WRAIR, U.S. Military HIV Research Program, 1 Taft Court, Suite 250, Rockville, MD 20850, (3) Henry M. Jackson Foundation, U.S. Military HIV Research Program, 1 Taft Court, Suite 250, Rockville, MD 20850

Background: The purpose of this project is to evaluate HIV-1 infection trends among active duty United States Army personnel, tested between 1985 and 2003. Long term follow-up of cohorts offers the opportunity to determine the rate and risk of new HIV-1 infections. Young men and women from every area of the United States are continuously joining the U.S. Army and are tested for HIV-1 on a periodic basis. This testing program provides unique insights into HIV-1 infection in a group of racially and ethnically diverse, sexually active men and women from every area in the United States.

Methods: The U.S. Army routinely tests personnel for HIV-1 which allows for the characterization of demographic risk factors for infection (incidence rate calculations and unadjusted and adjusted relative risk [RR] estimates with 95% CI’s). Rates are calculated by age group, race/ethnicity, gender, marital status, length of service, education level, rank, and military job occupation. Geographic distribution will be analyzed by county of residence.

Results: Incidence declined between 1985 and 2003 from 0.46 cases / 1,000 person-years [py] to 0.07 cases / 1,000 py. After adjusting for all variables, males (RR = 3.18), blacks (RR = 4.63), personnel between 25 and 29 years old (RR = 1.58) and non-married personnel (RR = 1.82) were at greatest risk for HIV-1 infection.

Conclusion: U.S. Army personnel provide a unique cohort for characterizing long-term trends in HIV-1 incidence. Application of the results will assist in identifying and targeting high-risk populations in prevention efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Identify demographic risk factors for HIV-1 incidence among active duty U.S. Army personnel
• 2.Describe HIV-1 incidence and demographic trends between 1986 and 2003
• 3.Identify geographic and regional variation in HIV-1 infection among U.S. Army personnel
• 4.Recognize the uniqueness of the U.S. Army as a cohort for assessing HIV-1 trends among young, sexually active, racially/ethnically diverse men and women

Keywords: HIV/AIDS,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

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