Prevalence of markers for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in UK military recruits

An unlinked anonymous survey was conducted to measure the prevalence of selected markers for HIV, hepatitis B and C infection in recruits to the UK Armed Forces to inform future screening and hepatitis B vaccination policies. During 2007, nearly 14 000 left-over samples taken from new recruits for blood typing were collected, unlinked from identifiers and anonymously tested for HIV, hepatitis C and current and past cleared hepatitis B infection. Overall, serological evidence of HIV and hepatitis C was found in 0.06% and 0.06% of recruits, respectively. Evidence of past cleared and current hepatitis B infection was found in 3.63% and 0.37% of recruits, respectively. Overall, prevalence rates were broadly consistent with UK population estimates of infection. However, HIV and hepatitis B prevalence was higher in recruits of African origin than in those from the UK (P<0.0001). Screening for these infections is an option that could be considered for those entering Services from high-prevalence countries.