Sexually transmitted infections, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2000-2012

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Military Medicine

Background:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a significant health concern within military populations.
• Understanding STI incidence trends is crucial for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
• Previous research has highlighted varying STI prevalence across different demographic groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence rates of the five most common STIs in active U.S. Armed Forces service members.
• To examine demographic and military-specific factors associated with STI incidence between 2000 and 2012.
• To evaluate trends in specific STIs, including human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex virus, and syphilis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of STI diagnosis data among active component U.S. service members.
• Data collection spanned from January 2000 to December 2012.
• Incidence rates were calculated and compared across various demographic subgroups (gender, age, rank, marital status).

Main Results:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections were the most frequently diagnosed STI, followed by chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
• Higher incidence rates were consistently observed in women, younger service members, soldiers, and enlisted personnel compared to their counterparts.
• Married service members generally exhibited lower STI incidence rates. Notable increases in chlamydia, HPV, and gonorrhea among women were observed from 2006-2008, with subsequent sharp declines in HPV and gonorrhea.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities in STI incidence exist within the U.S. military, with specific demographic groups being disproportionately affected.
• The introduction of STI screening for young service women and the HPV vaccine may have contributed to observed trend changes.
• Continued surveillance and targeted public health interventions are essential to mitigate the burden of STIs in the military population.