Military rank and AIDS proportionate mortality in the Brazilian Navy

This study describes AIDS mortality and occupational factors among servicemen in the Brazilian Navy. This is a proportional mortality study of 2,586 servicemen's death certificates (20-72 years of age) recorded from 1991 to 1995. Death certificates and occupational histories came from the Brazilian Navy Insurance System archives. Association was measured using proportionate mortality odds ratios obtained with unconditional logistic regression. AIDS proportionate mortality was estimated at 4.8% (n = 125) and increased during the study period, particularly among servicemen under 50 years of age and those with low rank. As compared to other occupations, there was relative excess AIDS in the "management" (proportionate mortality odds ratio, PMORage-adjusted = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.27-4.71), "secretarial" (PMORage-adjusted = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.22-5.08), and "janitorial" (PMORage-adjusted = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.10-6.16) occupational groups. AIDS proportionate mortality was higher among male than female military members. Higher rates were observed in some occupational groups when the members were low ranking. Power distribution, gender issues, and low socioeconomic status require further investigation using more appropriate methods.