Temporal Trends of Hiv-Related Risk Behavior Among Brazilian Military Conscripts, 1997-2002

Abstract

PURPOSE:To present selected results of military conscript surveys related to HIV/AIDS, conducted in Brazil, 1997Brazil, -2002. METHODS: Questionnaires including information on socio-demographic data, sexual behavior practices, sexually transmitted infections-related problems, and use of injecting drugs were completed by 30970 individuals, obtained through a 2-stage sampling. An index of sexual risk behavior was developed to take into account multiplicity of partners and irregularity of condom use. The HIV infection prevalence rate was estimated for 2002. Logistic regression was used to identify the most important determinants of HIV infection. RESULTS:The percentage of regular condom use increased from 38% (1997) to 49% (2002), and the index of sexual risk behavior decreased from 0.98 in 1997 to 0.87, in 2002. The HIV infection prevalence rate was 0.09%, in 2002, which remained unchanged since1998 Riskier sexual practices among young men with incomplete education and among "men who have sex with men" were found as well as among the participants who reported at least one sexually transmitted infections -related problem. The most important predictor of HIV infection was to be positive for syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated value of the HIV infection prevalence supports the diagnosis of a concentrated HIV epidemic, in Brazil. Results indicate that particular attention needs to be paid for regional differentials, and for special subgroups, in Brazil.

Prevalence of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C among adults with mental illness: a multicenter study in Brazil

“…Compared to other studies with national samples in Brazil, the prevalence of HIV among our sample was one time higher than pregnant women (0.4%) and almost eight times higher than military recruits (0.09%) 3,5,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . In addition,…”

“…In addition, the development of surveillance tools for monitoring the dissemination of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) to vulnerable populations has been a priority 2 . Studies with national representative samples have been conducted among pregnant women 3,4 , military recruits 5 , and more recently studies among men who have sex with men, female sex workers and injecting drug users (IDU) are currently under way in 10 major Brazilian metropolitan areas 6 . There is evidence that patients with mental illness have increased prevalence of STI, including HIV, with rates varying from 3% to 22% 7 .…”

Delay in Introducing Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients Infected by Hiv in Brazil, 2003-2006

“…This not only favors the spread of the vi- rus, but also makes these patients more difficult to treat, since patients that begin treatment with low CD4 + T cell counts (especially below 50 cells/mm 3 ) typically have a poorer response to antiretroviral therapy. 12,13,14 Several studies have addressed the problems associated to 15 and the need for an early diagnosis of HIV infection. The proportion of patients with delayed initiation of ARVT varies widely according to region, but is generally significant 16 + T cell counts is available at the national level through SISCEL, forming the basis of the present analysis.…”

HIV/AIDS Behavioral Surveillance among Angolan Military Men

“…Education is likely associated with income/socioeconomic status, giving more educated men more opportunities for sex. Still, this finding is unexpected given that greater education has been associated with reduced high-risk behaviors in other militaries (Bianchi and Popper, 2000;CDC, 1991;Szwarcwald et al, 2005). Interestingly, those with more education had fewer STI symptoms than less educated participants.…”