1539 - Pilot Study of Sexual Networks and Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk in a Military Population

Background: In the U.S., military members experience a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than the age and gender-adjusted general population, placing a costly and preventable burden on the military health system (MHS). These increased rates are likely due to differences in both individual and network level risk factors. To assess the feasibility of a survey examining the impact of sexual network risk factors on risk, a survey assessing STI individual and network level risk factors to include a 90-day sexual partnership inventory was piloted at a single military medical center.

Methods: A sample of 50 military beneficiaries completed a computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) cross-sectional egocentric survey administered on a tablet. Demographical and clinical data were captured from the electronic medical record.  Non-parametric statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: 45 of 50 subjects (90%) completed the survey. 40 (88%) subjects completed at least one partnership survey and reported 1 to 20 partners per subject. Respondents were mostly active duty (91.8%) and had been active duty for less than five years (68.2%). Common risk behaviors were explored and included meeting partners online (68.75%) and having partners who use drugs (48.94%) or are heavy drinkers (44.68%).  Partnership inventories suggest sexual concurrency and disassortative mixing on age, racial and ethnic groups, and military service.

Conclusion: While previous studies demonstrate that service members will complete sexual risk behavior surveys, this pilot egocentric partnership study demonstrates their willingness to provide detailed information on risk behaviors as well as detailed information on sexual partnerships. While we report on statistically significant associations, these may be subject to bias due to the underlying characteristics of the source population. As a result, these data will not likely be reflected in the full study population. 80% of pilot subjects completed the questionnaire and submitted at least one partnership survey, indicating the possibility of gathering more diverse individual sexual risk questionnaires from active duty service members.  Based on these data, a multisite study of sexual networks was implemented in the MHS and is currently under analysis.