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HIV/AIDS in the armed forces

    JOHANNESBURG

    A recent article by the US-based World Watch Institute suggests that HIV/AIDS in the military is a new security threat to developing countries.

    "Its ironic that HIV threatens the security of the very institutions charged with maintaining security and stability," World Watch author, Radhika Sarin, said in a statement.

    Estimates by the US National Intelligence Council show that 10 to 60 percent of all soldiers in sub-Saharan African nations are infected with HIV.

    "That is significantly higher than HIV incidence in the general adult populations of these countries," Sarin said.

    The article also highlights differences in how militaries are approaching issues of HIV testing among soldiers.

    Meanwhile, the US and Ethiopia on Saturday signed a five-year agreement to provide HIV/AIDS assistance for the Ethiopian military.

    To access the article online:
    http://www.worldwatch.org/press/news/2003/02/28/

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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