A portrait of risk behavior towards HIV infection among Brazilian Army conscripts by geographic regions, 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge about risky sexual behavior among young people has been widely acknowledged as a key tool to controlling the spread of HIV. This article aimed at presenting the risk behavior of Brazilian Army conscripts toward HIV infection according to the country’s geographic regions. . Method: We collected data from 37,282 conscripts, aged 17 to 22, during enlistment in the Brazilian Army in 2016. The prevalence of HIV infection, both self-reported and measured through laboratory results, and risk behavior factors were estimated by region. Results: 75% of the sample of conscripts reported to have already started sexual activity, and the average age of their sexual initiation was 15. Condom use varied according to the type of sexual relationship, being lower among steady partners and greater among less stable relationships. HIV prevalence assessed by laboratory tests was 0.12% across the country and the highest prevalence was observed in the North region (0.24%). Alcohol and illicit drug usage was higher in the South region. Discussion: The study allowed the observation of risk behavior monitoring for HIV infection among young Brazilians. Lower condom usage among steady partners may be contributing to an increase in the number of HIV-infected individuals. Conclusion: Results suggest the need to intensify prevention campaigns to disseminate safe sex practices among young people, in addition to the expansion of testing offer to this population.

Determinants of sexual exposure to HIV in Portuguese and Brazilian adolescents: a path analysis

“…Moreover, they may have little knowledge and poor discernment about the efficacy and effectiveness of prevention methods, assuming a high risk of sexual exposure to HIV (13,45) , as corroborated in this study. (46) .…”

How heterogeneous are MSM from Brazilian cities? An analysis of sexual behavior and perceived risk and a description of trends in awareness and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis

“…Although the proportion of non-gay MSM in the sample was low and includes selfdeclared bisexual MSM, our results likely reflect the higher frequency of receptive condomless anal sex among self-declared gay or homosexual as compared to men who report other sexual orientations. This finding is worrisome specially when coupled with those from a 2016 cross-sectional analysis of over 37 thousand young army conscripts in Brazil, 4.4% of which reported being MSM, who reported significant less condom use with casual partners compared to stable partners [37].…”

How heterogeneous are MSM from Brazilian cities? An analysis of sexual behavior and perceived risk and a description of trends in awareness and willingness to use PrEP.

“…Although the proportion of non-gay MSM in the sample was low and includes self-declared bisexual MSM, our results likely reflect the higher frequency of receptive condomless anal sex among self-declared gay or homosexual as compared to men who report other sexual orientations. This finding is worrisome specially when coupled with those from a 2016 cross-sectional analysis of over 37 thousand young army conscripts in Brazil, 4.4% of which reported being MSM, who reported significant less condom use with casual partners compared to stable partners (37).…”