A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES OF NAVAL PERSONNEL TO RETENTION OF HIV POSITIVE SAILOR ON SHIP AND IN NAVAL SERVICE.

A survey of attitudes of naval personnel to retention of a HIV Positive Sailor on a ship and in naval service was carried out among personnel posted to ships/establishments at Visakhapatnam. A total of 652 naval personnel were subjected to the questionnaire. The study revealed that only 234 (35.9%) of the individuals indicated willingness for retention of an HIV Positive Sailor on their ship, while 390 (59.8%) did not want retention of such an individual on their ship. A majority of these 390 individuals however could not forward any justifiable reason for their opinion. Retention in naval service of an HIV Positive sailor was recommended by 389 (59.7%) of the individuals surveyed while 251 (38.5%) individuals did not favour such an action. Unjustified reasons were ascribed by a majority of personnel not favouring retention in service. Almost 75% of officers expressed positive attitude for retention of HIV personnel on the ship as well as in service. Only 29% of sailors expressed positive attitude for acceptance on ship while 57% of them expressed positive attitude for retention in service.

Profile of tuberculosis--an Army experience.

With the advent of HIV infection an increased awareness has arisen on its effect on the incidence of various diseases. In the Indian context an increased incidence of Tuberculosis has been expected. The Army is a controlled relatively healthy constituent of the general population. It hence provides an ideal sample for gauging any dramatic change in incidence. The present paper covers the secular trend of the disease from the days of independence and highlights the differing rates in the stratum of society within the Army. With increased awareness and improvement in diagnostic facilities an increased incidence of the disease has been noticed. However a prospective study to further study various features of the disease as well its correlation if any with HIV is necessary. The paper also touches upon manpower wastage and age profile of Tuberculosis in the Army, which is an important concern to them.

NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL STRATEGY IN THE POST HIV PERIOD.

The tuberculosis situation in the country is a matter of great concern since the disease has not been contained. The problem has been further compounded by the emerging problem of HIV infection in the country together with development of multi-resistant tubercle bacilli. There is, therefore, a need to change our National Tuberculosis Control Strategy without disturbing the basic infrastructure of the National Tuberculosis Programme. Changes such as reinforcement of the District Tuberculosis Centre, HIV and drug sensitivity testing, giving up of long term chemotherapy, BCG vaccination policy, chemoprophylaxis policy and involvement of Non-Governmental Organisations and general practitioners are suggested.

A study on existing knowledge about AIDS among Naval personnel.

In the present study 1123 Naval personnel posted in one of the Naval bases were interviewed to find out the existing level of knowledge regarding AIDS and its prevention. The personnel had reasonably fair idea about the disease, modes of transmission and its prevention. It was interesting to observe that personnel had information about heterosexual transmission of disease and it is relevant in our context as in India and other Asian countries, the main transmission is through heterosexual route. About 19.31% of sailors as compared to 2.44% of officers had misconception that the disease is curable. The role of refresher health education efforts for imparting factual up-to-date information to the Naval community has been brought out.