According to a study conducted at the Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi, Kenyan Forces soldiers have claimed to be immune to the HIV virus.
The study involved a collaboration between researchers from several institutions namely F.M. Kyallo of Egerton University, J. Mutai of Kenya Medical Research Institute and Denis Magu of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
It involved 384 individuals attending the facility and who are in a discordant relationship where one partner is HIV-positive and constantly at risk of contracting the virus.
The research revealed that a significant number of soldiers who participated in the study claimed to enjoy divine protection against the virus. 13 per cent said they did not find condoms pleasurable or comfortable, three per cent reported divine protection while 1.4 per cent claimed to have natural immunity against the virus.
“About three per cent believed that they were being protected by God during sexual intercourse while others believed they had natural immunity against the disease,” says the study, whose findings have been published in the East African Medical Journal.
The research also found that about 88 percent used condoms with their regular partners and never cheated on their partners when deployed away from home.
Joshua Mosoti Orina, the lead author and a lecturer at the Defence Forces Medical Training School (DFMTS), said these were interesting findings but he was still consulting with the management on the way forward.
It has come to light that risky sexual behavior is a concern among military personnel.