HIV prevalence in 72,000 urban and rural male army recruits, Ethiopia, 1999-2000.

Background: The recent estimate of around 2 million HIV-infected people in Ethiopia derives from data that are sparse, especially in the rural areas where the majority (> 85%) of the population lives. We assessed HIV prevalence in almost 72,000 army recruits who resided in urban and rural areas prior to recruitment.

Methods: Rapid HIV tests, HIVSPOT and Determine, were conducted on blood samples drawn at enrolment from almost 10,000 urban recruits, in 1999, and 62,000 rural recruits, in 2000.

HIV prevalence in 72 000 urban and rural male army recruits, Ethiopia.

Background: The recent estimate of around 2 million HIV-infected people in Ethiopia derives from data that are sparse, especially in the rural areas where the majority (> 85%) of the population lives. We assessed HIV prevalence in almost 72 000 army recruits who resided in urban and rural areas prior to recruitment.

Methods: Rapid HIV tests, HIVSPOT and Determine, were conducted on blood samples drawn at enrolment from almost 10 000 urban recruits, in 1999, and 62 000 rural recruits, in 2000.