HIV RISK BEHAVIOR AMONG PEACE-CORPS VOLUNTEERS

Objective: To describe HIV risk behaviors among Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) and to examine correlates of sexual risk behaviors. Method: Cro ss-sectional data were collected from 1242 randomly selected PCV servi ng in 28 countries in 1991. PCV reported the frequency of specific ris k behaviors in self-administered questionnaires, which were completed anonymously and returned to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven tion. Results: Non-sexual HIV risk behaviors were rarely reported by P CV. Sixty-one per cent of the 1080 PCV who answered questions about se xual behavior during their Peace Corps service reported having at leas t 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 cond oms during every episode of sexual intercourse; more frequent use was reported in relationships with non-steady and (for male PCV) host-coun try national partners. Among male PCV, condom use was positively relat ed to lower alcohol use and the belief that HIV was a problem in the h ost country. Female PCV reporting more condom use with male partners w ere younger and had fewer partners than those reporting less use. Conc lusion: These data indicate that PCV are at risk for acquiring HIV thr ough unprotected vaginal intercourse. All persons who become sexually active with new partners while travelling or living abroad should be e ncouraged to use condoms consistently.