relation: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/36667/
title: United States military STI Screening: policy analysis and implications
creator: Wade, Nefertiti
description: Problem: Serving in the United States armed forces can often expose individuals to high stress situations, which has been shown to negatively impact decision making. Increased high risk sexual behaviors, is one of the manifestations reported that may result in the acquisition of a sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Undetected STIs within a highly mobile military population poses a significant public health concern, which threatens military readiness. U.S. armed forces screening policies have the potential to influence the incidences of STIs/HIV within the military population and surrounding communities.   Methods: United States Department of Defense, Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps STI/HIV screening policies and prevention programs were examined. Population specific considerations were gathered from a literature search conducted through PubMed, Medical Surveillance Monthly Report and Military Medicine (Oxford’s International Journal of AMSUS). Limitations identified in current policies and population specific characteristics guided the development of screening recommendations, which are provided in a programmatic framework.  Results: In alignment with medical advances and the simplification of STI treatment, the U.S. military has significantly reduced transmission of STIs within service members. Nevertheless, STIs continue to be the among the highest reported communicable diseases within the armed forces. The incidence rates have increased in the recent years. The allowance of fluidity among STI screening policies may not adequately reduce the spread of STIs with the U.S. military population.  Conclusions: Standardized screenings and health education could increase the detection of asymptomatic STIs, reducing the spread of infections within the military population.
date: 2019-04-26
type: Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
type: PeerReviewed
format: application/pdf
language: en
identifier: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/36667/1/WadeNefertitiMPH_Essay_4_2019.pdf
identifier:   Wade, Nefertiti  (2019) United States military STI Screening: policy analysis and implications.  Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.