These results confirm that Brazilian truck drivers are highly vulnerable to STD and show the importance of prevention programs targeting this specific group, one that is constantly on the move and may efficiently disseminate STD.
Objectives: to investigate the prevalence and risk behaviors by means of reporting of
sexually transmitted diseases among crack users. Method: cross-sectional study carried out with 588 crack users in a referral care unit
for the treatment of chemical dependency. Data were collected by means of
face-to-face interview and analyzed using Stata statistical software, version 8.0.
Results: of the total participants, 154 (26.2%; 95% CI: 22.8-29.9) reported antecedents of
sexually transmitted diseases. Ages between 25 and 30 years (RP: 2.1; 95% CI:
1.0-4.0) and over 30 years (RP: 3.8; 95% CI: 2.1-6.8), alcohol consumption (RP:
1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3), antecedents of prostitution (RP: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.9) and
sexual intercourse with person living with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS (RP:
2.7; 95% CI: 1.8-4.2) were independently associated with reporting of sexually
transmitted diseases. Conclusion: the results of this study suggest high risk and vulnerability of crack users for
sexually transmitted diseases.
OBJECTIVETo estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus and C virus infections and their genotypes and analyze the risk factors for the markers of exposure to hepatitis B virus in female sex workers in a region of intense sex trade.METHODSThis is a cross-sectional study performed with four hundred and two female sex workers in Goiânia, Brazil. Data have been collected using the Respondent-Driven Sampling. The women have been interviewed and tested for markers of hepatitis B and C viruses. Positive samples have been genotyped. The data have been analyzed using the Respondent-Driven Sampling Analysis Tool, version 5.3, and Stata 11.0.RESULTSThe adjusted prevalence for hepatitis B virus and C virus were 17.1% (95%CI 11.6–23.4) and 0.7% (95%CI 0.1–1.5), respectively. Only 28% (95%CI 21.1–36.4) of the participants had serological evidence of vaccination against hepatitis B virus. Being older (> 40 years), being single, having a history of blood transfusion and use of cocaine, and ignoring the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections were associated with positivity for hepatitis B virus (p < 0.05). We have detected the subgenotype A1 of hepatitis B virus (n = 3) and the subtypes of hepatitis C virus 1a (n = 3) and 1b (n = 1).CONCLUSIONSWe can observe a low prevalence of infection of hepatitis B and C viruses in the studied population. However, the findings of the analysis of the risk factors show the need for more investment in prevention programs for sexual and drug-related behavior, as well as more efforts to vaccinate this population against hepatitis B. The genotypes of the hepatitis B virus and C virus identified are consistent with those circulating in Brazil.
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