Sexual Behavior and HIV risk behavior among Peace Corps Volunteers



Sexual Behavior and HIV risk behavior among Peace Corps Volunteers

HIV risk behavior among Peace Corps Volunteers.

AIDS. 1995 Jul;9(7):795-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96035244

Moore J; Beeker C; Harrison JS; Eng TR; Doll LS; Division of HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,; Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe HIV risk behaviors among Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) and to examine correlates of sexual risk behaviors.

METHOD: Cross-sectional data were collected from 1242 randomly selected PCV serving in 28 countries in 1991. PCV reported the frequency of specific risk behaviors in self-administered questionnaires, which were completed anonymously and returned to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: Non-sexual HIV risk behaviors were rarely reported by PCV.

Sixty-one per cent of the 1080 PCV who answered questions about sexual behavior during their Peace Corps service reported having at least one sex partner. Sixty per cent of PCV had another PCV partner, 39% had a host-country national partner, and 29% had a non-PCV expatriate partner. Overall, less than one-third (32%) of unmarried PCV used condoms during every episode of sexual intercourse; more frequent use was reported in relationships with non-steady and (for male PCV) host-country national partners.

Among male PCV, condom use was positively related to lower alcohol use and the belief that HIV was a problem in the host country. Female PCV reporting more condom use with male partners were younger and had fewer partners than those reporting less use.

CONCLUSION: These data indicate that PCV are at risk for acquiring HIV through unprotected vaginal intercourse. All persons who become sexually active with new partners while travelling or living abroad should be encouraged to use condoms consistently.

Keywords: Adult Condoms Cross-Sectional Studies Female Human HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION Male *Risk-Taking *Sex Behavior Travel *Voluntary Workers JOURNAL ARTICLE

960130

M9610779

Copyright © 1996 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

When this story was posted in October 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference. RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls. Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate. Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.

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Director Gaddi Vasquez: The PCOL Interview PCOL sits down for an extended interview with Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez. Read the entire interview from start to finish and we promise you will learn something about the Peace Corps you didn't know before. Plus the debate continues over Safety and Security.

Schwarzenegger praises PC at Convention Governor Schwarzenegger praised the Peace Corps at the Republican National Convention: "We're the America that sends out Peace Corps volunteers to teach village children." Schwarzenegger has previously acknowledged his debt to his father-in-law, Peace Corps Founding Director Sargent Shriver, for teaching him "the joy of public service" and Arnold is encouraging volunteerism by creating California Service Corps and tapping his wife, Maria Shriver, to lead it. Leave your comments and who can come up with the best Current Events Funny?

Peace Corps: One of the Best Faces of America Teresa Heinz Kerry celebrates the Peace Corps Volunteer as one of the best faces America has ever projected in a speech to the Democratic Convention. The National Review disagreed and said that Heinz's celebration of the PCV was "truly offensive." What's your opinion and can you come up with a Political Funny?

Read the stories and leave your comments.

By Anonymous (204.184.214.1) on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 1:28 pm: Edit Post

Awwww, come on. Peace Corps has HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR as of 2006???!!