BBC News Online: World: Europe

Experts discuss AIDS amongst military personnel

Medical experts have been gathering in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, to discuss the problem of HIV infection and AIDS among military personnel.

The United Nations -- sponsor of the conference -- says rates of sexually transmitted disease within the military are at least double those in civilian populations -- and that in times of conflict these rates increase further.

The conference, which starts later today, will look at how to implement a UN resolution passed in July which urged countries to develop HIV and AIDS education and testing programmes for those serving in the military, particularly forces operating abroad. A UN official said peacekeeping troops could eventually become a useful force in reducing the incidence of HIV and AIDS by distributing information on ways to prevent the spread of the disease.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service