Behavioural Differences Between users seeking hiv-testing at the testing anD counseling center in the city of Montes claros, state of Minas gerais

Abstract

Introduction: the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is a global, dynamic and unstable phenomenon, whose form of occurrence depends on the individual and collective human behavior, among other factors. Objective: to identify the social and behavioral differences related to the risk of HIV infection, prevalence of HIV and the rate between genders in users of the Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) of the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study. The sample included 1,409 users' records (716 men, 693 women) from the CTA of Montes Claros, from December 2007 to March 2009. For organization and statistical analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0 was used and a significance level of 5% (p < 0,05) was considered. Results: significant differences (p < 0.05) between genders were found, indicating a higher percentage of singles (65.3%), drug users (73.5%) and those who have had three or more sexual partners (41.9%) during the past year among men. Men used condoms more regularly in fixed (20.1%) and eventual (44.4%) partners. HIV prevalence was of 2% and the rate between the genders was of 1:1. Conclusion: men were engaged in more risk behaviors for HIV, but women were infected in the same proportion. Prevention programs must consider social and cultural components to structure gender inequalities.