Name
#23 Sexual Risk Factors Among Male Service Members Referred to Navy HIV Evaluation and Treatment Units (2010-2023)
Content Presented On Behalf Of:
DHA
Services/Agencies represented
Defense Health Agency (DHA), US Navy, Uniformed Services University (USU), Other/Not Listed
Session Type
Poster
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Start Time
5:00 PM
End Time
7:00 PM
Location
Prince Georges Expo Hall E
Focus Areas/Topics
Clinical Care, Wellbeing, Trending/Hot Topics or Other not listed
Learning Outcomes
1. First Outcome
Participants will be able to describe key demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with HIV diagnoses among U.S. Navy and Marine Corps male service members from 2010–2023.

2. Second Outcome
Participants will be able to evaluate the influence of evolving dating app usage (2010–2023) on increases in anonymous sexual partnerships and online partner-seeking among HIV-positive service members.

3. Third Outcome
Participants will be able to apply findings from this behavioral surveillance analysis to enhance PrEP targeting, risk-reduction counseling, and partner-services strategies within Navy and Marine Corps clinical settings.
Session Currently Live
Description

Introduction: Despite routine testing and policies intended to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among military service members, rates of new human immunodeficiency (HIV) infections have remained relatively stable and high compared to the US civilian population. Materials and Methods: Between 2010 and 2023, standardized Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case report data were collected from 806 HIV-positive male service members - representing approximately 77% of all diagnosed cases - at three Department of the Navy HIV Evaluation and Treatment Units responsible for care coordination and surveillance for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel recently diagnosed with HIV. Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to examine associations between demographic, behavioral, and service-related factors. Results: Most service members had male sexual partners (70%) and reported being single at the time of the interview (64%). More than half reported having sex with anonymous partners (58%) and meeting sexual partners on the internet (54%). Interview facility, marital status, drug use, branch of service, and race were significantly associated with a variety of sexual behaviors (i.e., sex [male of female] of sexual partners, meeting sex partners on the internet, having sex with anonymous partners, having sex with injection drug using partners, having sex while intoxicated or high, and exchanging sex for drugs or money). Conclusions: This analysis reveals patterns of HIV risk factors among males serving in the United States Navy or Marine Corps that can be explored in future studies and highlighted the frequency of sex with anonymous partners and using the internet to seek sexual partners in this population.