Triple Threat

Military forces in Sub-Saharan Africa, including peacekeepers, rank among the highest population groups most affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. These individuals are called upon to protect national security from threats such as terrorism, crime, internal and external conflict; serving at home and across national borders. For armed forces personnel, several key factors make them vulnerable to STIs: the work environment, mobility, and age. These risk factors expose all the population to HIV/AIDS infection, military and civilians. According to the Joint UN Program on AIDS (UNAIDS), soldiers are two to five times more likely to contract STIs than the civilian population. In fact, during conflict, the rate of STI infection can increase significantly. HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa represents an obvious danger to security; if left unchecked, could compromise military effectiveness, which could then lead to instability within the region.