Children of human immunodeficiency virus-infected members of the army reserve components

Abstract

Objectives: Little is known about the numbers of children who will be left without one or both parents because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This report evaluates childbearing patterns among U.S. Army reserve component members, a group largely made up of men with limited contact with the military. Methods: HIV status was determined from routinely collected data, with demographic information obtained from personnel records. Number of children was estimated from number of dependents reported. No information was available on the infection status of children or spouses of members. Results: There were 1,884 HIV-positive members, with an estimated total of 843 children. Childbearing patterns varied across several demographic characteristics. Among 14 metropolitan statistical areas, the proportion reporting any children and the number of children of infected members per 100,000 varied substantially. Conclusions: This report documents the numbers of children of HIV-positive adults in this population and provides evidence that certain metropolitan areas will be disproportionately affected.