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January 14, 2026Open Forum Infectious Diseases0 citationsOpen Access

P-718. Sexual Networks of Military Service Members with Chlamydia

CPCecelia PedenUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences SMScott MaddoxUnited States Army Medical Command NSNancy StrahanUnited States Army Medical Command

Key Points

To describe sexual networks of military service members with chlamydia to inform prevention strategies.
Identified military members with chlamydia at Joint Base San Antonio from June-December 2023.
Conducted contact tracing for sexual partners over the preceding sixty days.
Categorized responses by sex, branch, and training status.
32 active-duty service members tested positive for chlamydia during the study period.
59.4% of patients with chlamydia were female, primarily from the Army (56.3%).
66.7% of identified sexual contacts were civilians.
Those in training status had a higher likelihood of military sexual partners (50% vs. 14.3%).

Abstract

Abstract Background In order to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), public health systems must create policies that are based on both the prevalence of infections as well as sexual networks. In the United States military there are limited data regarding sexual networks, which makes designing strategies to combat STIs challenging. In this project, we describe reported sexual networks of military service members with chlamydia to inform future interventions to decrease transmission.Table 1:Demographic information of 32 active-duty service members at Joint Base San Antonio with chlamydia, June-December 2023Table 2:Sexual Networks of Military Service Members with Chlamydia by Sex and Training Status Methods Military service members who tested positive for chlamydia at Joint Base San Antonio between June-December 2023 were asked to identify their partners for the preceding sixty days via routine Army Public Health Nursing (APHN) contact tracing. Responses were anonymized to compare sexual networks of patients by sex, branch, and whether they completed all military training (permanent party) or were in a training status. Results Thirty-two active-duty service members were identified by APHN with positive chlamydia testing during the study period. Patients with chlamydia were predominantly female (59.4%), in the Army (56.3%), and had completed their military training (62.5%) (Table 1). Of the 45 sexual contacts identified, the majority (66.7%) were civilians. Those still in military training were more likely to have sexual contacts who were also military service members as compared permanent party (50% vs. 14.3%, p=0.014) (Table 2). Conclusion This project identified that sexual networks for service members who developed chlamydia were more likely to include military partners when the service member was in a training status than after a service member completed training. This data should inform the development of local prevention efforts that focus on sexual health and disrupt transmission events. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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