RESUMO
Despite long term access to highly active antiretroviral therapy in Brazil and the US, little is known about women's communication with their HIV provider regarding childbearing or the unmet need for reproductive counseling. We utilized identical survey questions to collect data from HIV-infected women of reproductive age in Rio de Janeiro (n = 180) and Baltimore (n = 181). We conducted univariate analyses to compare findings between samples of women and multivariate logistic regression to determine factors associated with childbearing desires, childbearing intentions, and provider communication among the combined sample of women (n = 361). Over one-third of women in Rio de Janeiro and nearly one-half of women in Baltimore reported the desire for future childbearing. Nevertheless, the majority of women in clinical care had not discussed future childbearing with their HIV provider. Even in countries with an advanced approach to HIV care, we found low and inadequate communication between providers and female patients about childbearing.
Assuntos
Aconselhamento , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Relações Médico-Paciente , Comportamento Reprodutivo , Adolescente , Adulto , Baltimore , Brasil , Comunicação , Comparação Transcultural , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Fertilidade , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Intenção , Entrevistas como Assunto , Análise Multivariada , Cuidado Pré-Concepcional , Gravidez , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
In the last decade, a declining prevalence of HCV infection has been described in injecting drug users (IDUs) in different countries. This study is the first to assess temporal trends in drug-injecting patterns, HCV infection rates and viral genotype distribution in 770 Brazilian IDUs, recruited by two cross-sectional studies (1994-1997 and 1999-2001). A substantial decline in the prevalence of HCV infection was found over the years (75% in 1994 vs. 20.6% in 2001, P<0.001) that may be a consequence of the significant reduction in the overall frequencies of drug injection and needle-sharing, as well as the participation of IDUs in initiatives aimed at reducing drug-related harm. No trend was found in terms of viral genotype distribution. Despite the favourable scenario, preventive measures must be maintained, especially in vulnerable subgroups such as young or new injectors, where risky behaviours through direct and indirect sharing practices remain common.
Assuntos
Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatite C/epidemiologia , Hepatite C/virologia , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/complicações , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Variação Genética , Genótipo , Humanos , Masculino , Epidemiologia Molecular , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Comportamento Sexual , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to determine whether current HAART use is associated with recent sexual intercourse among HIV-infected women (18-49 years) from Brazil, South Africa and Uganda. We conducted an analysis of survey data from a cross-sectional study, which enrolled 179 HIV-infected women receiving regular care from the Mbarara Hospital HIV Clinic in Uganda (n=85); the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto, South Africa (n=50); and the IPEC-Fiocruz cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (n=44). The primary outcome was sexual intercourse in the previous month. Secondary outcomes were protected sex and contraceptive use. We found that overall, 46% reported recent sexual intercourse. After adjusting for covariates, recent sexual intercourse was not associated with HAART use (AOR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.34-1.72); however, it was significantly associated with being currently married, wanting to have more children and having higher HAART optimism. Among women reporting recent sexual intercourse (n=83), HAART users were significantly more likely to practice protected sex (crude OR: 3.64; 95%CI: 1.41-9.38) and non-significantly more likely to use contraceptive methods (crude OR: 2.15; 95%CI: 0.77-5.99). In summary, self-reported recent sexual intercourse is not more likely among women on HAART. Moreover, sexually active HAART users may be more likely to practice protected sex and use contraceptives.
Assuntos
Terapia Antirretroviral de Alta Atividade/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Comportamento Sexual , Adolescente , Adulto , Terapia Antirretroviral de Alta Atividade/psicologia , Brasil , Comportamento Contraceptivo/psicologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise de Regressão , África do Sul , UgandaRESUMO
Adherence is integral to improving and maintaining the health and quality of life of people living with HIV. Two-hundred HIV-positive adults recruited from teaching hospitals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Rio de Janeiro City were assessed on socio-demographic factors, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and psychosocial factors hypothesized to be associated with ART. Predictors of non-adherence were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Self-reported medication adherence was high (82% had adherence >90%). Non-adherence was associated with personal factors (i.e. sexual orientation, self-efficacy), physical factors (i.e. loss of appetite) and interpersonal factors (i.e. doctor-patient relationship). Adherence in Brazil is as good, if not better, than that seen in the US and western Europe, which is noteworthy since the sample was derived predominantly from public healthcare settings. It is possible that the connection to NGOs in Rio de Janeiro City played a helpful role in achieving high levels of adherence in this sample of people living with HIV and AIDS. Recommendations, based on study findings, include enhancing and sustaining supportive services for NGOs, promoting patient self-efficacy and behavioral skills for adherence, increasing social network support and having healthcare providers directly address patients' medication beliefs, attitudes and experience with side effects.
Assuntos
Antirretrovirais/uso terapêutico , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Cooperação do Paciente , Adulto , Terapia Antirretroviral de Alta Atividade , Brasil/epidemiologia , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/mortalidade , HIV-1 , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Relações Médico-PacienteRESUMO
Itajaí is the largest port in southern Brazil and has one of the nation's highest AIDS incidence rates. Since over 400 truck drivers enter the city daily, they may play a key role in the HIV/AIDS epidemic due to transactions with commercial sex workers (CSWs) and/or substance use. We conducted a rapid assessment to establish the context of HIV vulnerability among truckers and CSWs in Itajaí. Forty three in-depth interviews and eight focus groups were conducted with truckers and CSWs. Two truck-driving routes involving brothels, meeting places and drug-use locations were mapped and field observations were collected. Tapes and field notes were transcribed and analyzed for emerging themes. Truck drivers typically had unprotected sex with several partners, including CSWs and truckstop employees. Both truckers and CSWs had low perceived HIV risk in spite of being engaged in high-risk sex behaviors. Use of alcohol and amphetamine-like drugs was frequent among truckers and appeared to influence unsafe sex practices. Knowledge about amphetamine-related risks was low, as was access to health services and HIV/AIDS behavioral interventions. Interventions, targeting truckers, CSWs and truckstop employees, are needed that traverse cities, states and borders and take into account seasonality, spatial context and workplace conditions.
Assuntos
Preservativos/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Meios de Transporte/estatística & dados numéricos , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/epidemiologia , Condução de Veículo , Brasil , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Parceiros Sexuais , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Sexo sem ProteçãoRESUMO
Previous studies have demonstrated a stronger seroreactivity against some synthetic peptides responsible for inducing neutralizing antibodies in injecting drug users (IDU) compared to that of individuals sexually infected with HIV-1 (S), but the effectiveness in terms of the neutralizing ability of these antibodies has not been evaluated. Our objective was to study the humoral immune response of IDU by determining the specificity of their antibodies and the presence of neutralizing antibodies. The neutralization capacity against the HIV-1 isolate MN (genotype B), the primary HIV-1 isolate 95BRRJ021 (genotype F), and the seroreactivity with peptides known to induce neutralizing antibodies, from the V2 and V3 loops of different HIV-1 subtypes, were analyzed. Seroreactivity indicates that IDU plasma are more likely to recognize a broader range of peptides than S plasma, with significantly higher titers, especially of V3 peptides. Similar neutralization frequencies of the MN isolate were observed in plasma of the IDU (16/47) and S (20/60) groups in the 1:10 dilution. The neutralization of the 95BRRJ021 isolate was more frequently observed for plasma from the S group (15/23) than from the IDU group (15/47, P = 0.0108). No correlation between neutralization and seroreactivity with the peptides tested was observed. These results suggest that an important factor responsible for the extensive and broad humoral immune response observed in IDU is their infection route. There was very little difference in neutralizing antibody response between the IDU and S groups despite their differences in seroreactivity and health status.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Anti-HIV/imunologia , Antígenos HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , HIV-1/imunologia , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/imunologia , Reações Cruzadas/imunologia , Feminino , Genótipo , Infecções por HIV/transmissão , HIV-1/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Testes de Neutralização/métodos , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/complicaçõesRESUMO
Previous studies have demonstrated a stronger seroreactivity against some synthetic peptides responsible for inducing neutralizing antibodies in injecting drug users (IDU) compared to that of individuals sexually infected with HIV-1 (S), but the effectiveness in terms of the neutralizing ability of these antibodies has not been evaluated. Our objective was to study the humoral immune response of IDU by determining the specificity of their antibodies and the presence of neutralizing antibodies. The neutralization capacity against the HIV-1 isolate MN (genotype B), the primary HIV-1 isolate 95BRRJ021 (genotype F), and the seroreactivity with peptides known to induce neutralizing antibodies, from the V2 and V3 loops of different HIV-1 subtypes, were analyzed. Seroreactivity indicates that IDU plasma are more likely to recognize a broader range of peptides than S plasma, with significantly higher titers, especially of V3 peptides. Similar neutralization frequencies of the MN isolate were observed in plasma of the IDU (16/47) and S (20/60) groups in the 1:10 dilution. The neutralization of the 95BRRJ021 isolate was more frequently observed for plasma from the S group (15/23) than from the IDU group (15/47, P = 0.0108). No correlation between neutralization and seroreactivity with the peptides tested was observed. These results suggest that an important factor responsible for the extensive and broad humoral immune response observed in IDU is their infection route. There was very little difference in neutralizing antibody response between the IDU and S groups despite their differences in seroreactivity and health status.
Assuntos
Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/imunologia , Antígenos HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , HIV-1 , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/imunologia , Reações Cruzadas/imunologia , Genótipo , Infecções por HIV/transmissão , HIV-1 , Testes de Neutralização/métodos , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/complicaçõesRESUMO
Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) "binding antibodies" (antibodies capable of binding to synthetic peptides or proteins) occur throughout HIV-1 infection, are high-titered and highly cross-reactive, as confirmed in this study by analyzing plasma from B and F genotype HIV-1 infected individuals. Plasma from individuals infected with clade F HIV-1 displayed the most frequent cross-reactivity, in high titers, while Bbr plasma showed much higher specificity. Similarly, neutralization of a reference HIV-1 isolate (HIV-1 MN) was more frequently observed by plasma from F than B genotype infected individuals. No significant difference was seen in neutralization susceptibility of primary B, Bbr or F clade HIV-1 by plasma from individuals infected with the classical B (GPGR) or F HIV-1, but Bbr (GWGR) plasma were less likely to neutralize the F genotype primary HIV-1 isolates. The data indicate that both B and F genotype derived vaccines would be equally effective against B and F HIV-1 infection, with a slightly more probable effectiveness for F than B genotype. Although the Bbr variant appears to induce a much more specific humoral immune response, the susceptibility in neutralizing the Brazilian HIV-1 B genotype Bbr variant is similar to that observed with the classical B genotype HIV-1.
Assuntos
Especificidade de Anticorpos/imunologia , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/imunologia , Antígenos HIV/imunologia , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/imunologia , HIV-1/imunologia , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/imunologia , Vacinas contra a AIDS , Especificidade de Anticorpos/genética , Reações Cruzadas/genética , Reações Cruzadas/imunologia , Feminino , Genótipo , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/genética , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/virologia , HIV-1/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Testes de Neutralização/métodos , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/genéticaRESUMO
The study objective was to assess willingness of men who have sex with men (MSM) enrolled in a vaccine preparedness study ('Projeto Rio') to participate in phase III anti-HIV/AIDS vaccine trials. Overall, 57% of Projeto Rio participants stated they would participate in a putative vaccine trial. MSM who reported commercial sex work were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to engage in risky behaviours than others. In bivariate analysis, commercial sex workers (CSWs) were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely than non-commercial sex workers (NCSWs) to be willing to participate in vaccine trials (62.6% versus 51.4%). Among those willing, CSWs reported significantly more often (p < 0.05) (50.5%) than NCSWs (38.0%) that they would enroll to protect themselves from HIV. In multivariate analyses, variables associated with willingness to participate (WTP) were lower educational level, positive serology for syphilis, and 'engagement, under the influence of alcohol, in risky sexual practices that would normally be avoided', but not commercial sex work. The potential enrollment in vaccine trials of MSM CWSs, as well as participants of low socio-economic status and high risk, seems thus to be possible.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra a AIDS , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Participação do Paciente/psicologia , Trabalho Sexual/psicologia , Comportamento Sexual/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Homossexualidade Masculina , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Assunção de Riscos , Sífilis/microbiologiaRESUMO
This study uses a spatial-temporal model to analyze the spatial spread of the AIDS epidemic (adult cases) in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during three periods: 1988-1990, 1991-1993, and 1994-1996. City districts were used as the geographic units of analysis. A spatial analysis was also performed for pediatric AIDS cases due to vertical HIV transmission, according to period of birth, 1985-90 and 1991-96. For total adult AIDS cases, the initial period was characterized by a polygonal cluster located around the harbor area, which expanded from west to east. Among homosexual cases, in situ growth predominated, and a decrease in the intensity of the diffusion process was observed from the second to the final period. Among heterosexual cases, the epidemic displayed a relevant geographic spread, mainly from 1988-1990 to 1991-1993. Among female cases in the final time period, a cluster of high incidence rates was found towards the northwest, including very poor areas. Among pediatric cases in 1991-1996, a significant correlation was found between AIDS incidence rates and poverty levels in the respective municipal districts. The results suggest that a more complete understanding of AIDS spatial-temporal dynamics can make a major contribution to preventive measures.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/epidemiologia , Modelos Estatísticos , Conglomerados Espaço-Temporais , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/transmissão , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Surtos de Doenças , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Recém-Nascido , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas , Masculino , GravidezRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Retrovirus infections among injecting drug users (IDUs), a core at-risk population for both HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II infections in Brazil, were assessed within an ongoing cooperative research. OBJECTIVE: The study assessed the seroprevalences of HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II infections, as well as the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes in a sample of IDUs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An attempt to evaluate HIV incidence was carried out using a dual 'sensitive/less sensitive' testing strategy. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional evaluation of 175 IDUs. Serostatus for HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II were established by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and confirmed by western blot. The dual testing strategy aimed to estimate HIV-1 incidence rates. Differentiation between HTLV-I and -II was performed by western blot. DNA samples were polymerase chain reaction amplified by a nested protocol, and HIV-1 subtyping was determined by heteroduplex mobility assay. RESULTS: Forty-six and 29 samples were found to be, respectively, positive for HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II, 15 of them co-infected by both viruses. Among HTLV-I/II-infected patients, 75.9% were infected by HTLV-I. Thirty-one HIV samples were identified as B subtype, with seven of them showing the typical "Brazilian B" pattern in the gp120 V3 loop, and ten were identified as F subtype. The use of less sensitive assays for HIV infection wrongly identified a deeply immunocompromised patient as an incident case. CONCLUSION: Moderately high seroprevalences were found for both HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II infections, HIV-1/HTLV-I co-infections being of special concern. A non-statistically significant higher prevalence of F subtype was observed, when compared with the distribution of F/B subtypes among Brazilian patients from other exposure categories. No recent HIV-1 infections were detected, but a limitation of the "sensitive/less-sensitive" testing strategy was made evident.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , HIV-1/classificação , Infecções por HTLV-I/epidemiologia , Infecções por HTLV-II/epidemiologia , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/complicações , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/virologia , Soroprevalência de HIV , Infecções por HTLV-I/complicações , Infecções por HTLV-II/complicações , Humanos , Incidência , MasculinoRESUMO
Although a large body of international literature has found syringe exchange programmes (SEPs) to be associated with reduced incidence of blood borne pathogens among injection drug users, recent studies have fuelled controversy surrounding SEP effectiveness. Existing studies are observational in nature and have seldom considered ecologic aspects affecting SEP functioning and evaluation. The authors apply concepts from infectious disease epidemiology to discuss the direct and indirect effects of SEP upon the spread of blood borne pathogens in drug users, their social networks and the broader community. Further, the authors discuss social policies, particularly drug control policies, which have directly and/or indirectly limited SEP functioning at local and national levels. A critical review of the literature suggests that biases common to observational studies can account for higher HIV incidence among SEP attenders relative to non-attenders. Strong selection factors often lead high-risk drug users to be over-represented among SEP attenders. Failure to account for these factors and the indirect effects of SEPs can bias interpretations of programme effectiveness. Future SEP evaluations should consider behavioural data, the local ethnographic context, the prevalence of infectious disease in the groups under study and the structural components of SEP that are most and least effective at reducing incidence of blood borne pathogens. Hierarchical models that take into account the ecological dimensions of SEP are recommended as an approach for future studies. Beyond methodologic concerns, the authors discuss social, legal and programmatic obstacles that must be overcome in order to maximise SEP effectiveness.
Assuntos
Programas de Troca de Agulhas , Patógenos Transmitidos pelo Sangue , Brasil , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Infecções por HIV/transmissão , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Política de Saúde , Humanos , Programas de Troca de Agulhas/organização & administração , Programas de Troca de Agulhas/tendências , Nepal , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa , Estados UnidosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyse trends in AIDS mortality in men and women in Brazil, for the period 1984-1995. DESIGN AND METHODS: National statistics on yearly numbers of reported deaths by cause, in conjunction with census population counts and inter-censory estimates, were used to calculate age- and sex-specific AIDS mortality rates for Brazil as a whole and for São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the two largest cities in Brazil, and those most affected by the AIDS epidemic to date. RESULTS: Numbers of reported deaths from AIDS have increased yearly in Brazil since 1984, to approximately 15,000 in 1995. The data suggest that after a very dramatic rise in mortality rates, the epidemic may have started to slow even before the introduction of freely available highly-active anti-retroviral therapy, although unequally in terms of both geographical and sex distributions. Women also tended to die at relatively younger ages than men in all areas studied, and by 1995 the impact of AIDS on overall mortality was practically the same for men and women aged 25-34 years (21% in São Paulo). CONCLUSIONS: Trends in mortality from AIDS in Brazil reflect both the geographical expansion of the epidemic outwards from its original epicentres, and the fact that women are becoming increasingly affected by the AIDS epidemic.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/mortalidade , População Urbana/estatística & dados numéricos , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Fármacos Anti-HIV/uso terapêutico , Terapia Antirretroviral de Alta Atividade , Brasil/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
Mean AIDS incidence rates were calculated for three time periods, 1987-89, 1990-92, and 1993-96, using reported adult AIDS cases by county. The analysis included the following variables: "population of counties for resident AIDS cases"; "proportion of population residing in urban areas", and "concentration of poverty", stratifying by gender and exposure categories. The Southeast region has experienced the lowest increase, contrasting with the steep rise observed in the North and South between the second and third study periods. Comparing variations in incidence rates from 1990-92 and 1993-96 by region or population, the greatest increase was among women. In the larger cities, AIDS cases among "homo/bisexual men" predominate, although the proportion of cases among men who have sex with men has decreased as heterosexual cases have undergone a continuous increase. IDUs have been the core stratum in medium-sized counties. For the smallest counties, heterosexual transmission has been the basic element in local dynamics. Even though AIDS is still an urban phenomenon in Brazil, the epidemic is spreading to rural counties. Until recently it has mainly affecting relatively more affluent areas, but there is now an evident spread of the epidemic to poorer areas.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/epidemiologia , Surtos de Doenças , Características de Residência , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/transmissão , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Notificação de Doenças , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
This paper discusses methodologies for analyzing relations between social inequalities, marginalization, prejudice, and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, highlighting current difficulties and alternative research strategies. It also reviews the international and Brazilian literature, emphasizing: economic and macropolitical dimensions in the spread of HIV/AIDS; the role of drug policies and consumption; gender inequalities and prejudice; racial/ethnic inequalities and prejudice; and interaction with other STIs and their relationship to poverty; HIV/AIDS and health care standards, especially access to antiretroviral therapy; and human rights violations. Despite current methodological dilemmas in analyzing relations between psychosocial, cultural, and sociopolitical variables and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and the limited Brazil literature, such themes merit further investigation, addressing Brazilian social and cultural specificities and profiting from recently developed research strategies.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida , Pobreza , Preconceito , Condições Sociais , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/terapia , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/transmissão , Direitos Humanos , HumanosRESUMO
This article analyzes the temporal distribution of reported AIDS cases by level of education used as a proxy variable for individual socioeconomic status. All AIDS cases aged 20-69 years and reported through May 29, 1999, with date of diagnosis between 1986-1996, were included in the study. Incidence rates were calculated for men and women according to level of education ("level 1" up to 8 years of schooling and "level 2" with over 8 years of schooling), by five geographic regions, and by year of diagnosis. Incidence rates for men with less schooling were close to or higher than those for men with more schooling (particularly in the Southeast region). For women, a time series showed that incidence rates increased at a higher rate among women with less schooling in all regions of the country; in the Southeast, the incidence rate for women with less schooling was already greater than for women with more schooling by 1989. According to the present analysis, the AIDS epidemic in Brazil began among people from the more highly educated social strata and progressed steadily through to the less educated social strata, especially among women.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/epidemiologia , Escolaridade , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/diagnóstico , Adulto , Idoso , Brasil/epidemiologia , Notificação de Doenças , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Classe Social , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
A survey was carried out in 2 drug use treatment centres (TCs) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to assess risk behaviours, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections/blood-borne infections (STIs/BBIs). Two hundred and twenty-five drug users (195 males and 30 females) were interviewed and clinically examined, and their blood and urine were tested for STIs/BBIs. Prevalences (%) for these infections were as follows--HIV: 0.9, hepatitis B virus (HBV): 14.7, hepatitis C virus (HCV): 5.8, syphilis: 5.3, gonorrhoea/chlamydia (CT/NG): 4.7. In bivariate analyses CT/NG infection was associated with younger age (P=0.003); current genitourinary symptoms (odds ratio [OR]=6.2) and a mainly illegal source of income (OR=9.1). Hepatitis C infection was associated with a history of ever having injected any drug (OR=19.6), and with each one of the injected drugs. After multiple logistic regression, lower educational level (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.70) and 'ever having injected drugs' (AOR=3.69) remained as independent risk factors for hepatitis B infection. In conclusion, TCs must implement programmes directed towards the prevention of STIs/BBIs.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Assunção de Riscos , Comportamento Sexual , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Centros de Tratamento de Abuso de Substâncias/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Brasil/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances , Prevalência , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/sangue , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/urinaRESUMO
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To establish the geographical relation of health conditions to socioeconomic status in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. DESIGN: All reported deaths in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, from 1987 to 1995, obtained from the Mortality Information System, were considered in the study. The 24 "administrative regions" that compose the city were used as the geographical units. A geographical information system (GIS) was used to link mortality data and population census data, and allowed the authors to establish the geographical pattern of the health indicators considered in this study: "infant mortality rate"; "standardised mortality rate"; "life expectancy" and "homicide rate". Information on location of low income communities (slums) was also provided by the GIS. A varimax rotation principal component analysis combined information on socioeconomic conditions and provided a two dimension basis to assess contextual variation. MAIN RESULTS: The 24 administrative regions were aggregated into three different clusters, identified as relevant to reflect the socioeconomic variation. Almost all health indicator thematic maps showed the same socioeconomic stratification pattern. The worst health situation was found in the cluster composed of the harbour area and northern vicinity, precisely in the sector where the highest concentration of slum residents are present. This sector of the city exhibited an extremely high homicide rate and a seven year lower life expectancy than the remainder of the city. The sector that concentrates affluence, composed of the geographical units located along the coast, showed the best health situation. Intermediate health conditions were found in the west area, which also has poor living standards but low concentration of slums. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that social and organisation characteristics of low income communities may have a relevant role in understanding health variations. Local health and other social programmes specifically targeting these communities are recommended.