BackgroundContextual factors shape the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. We estimated the prevalence of both infections among indigenous people in nine indigenous health districts of the Brazilian Amazon and examined the context of community vulnerability to acquiring these infections.MethodsWe trained 509 health care workers to screen sexually active populations in the community for syphilis and HIV using rapid testing (RT). We then assessed the prevalence of HIV and syphilis using RT. A multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with syphilis infection (sociodemographic, condom use, intrusion, population mobility, and violence).ResultsOf the 45,967 indigenous people tested, the mean age was 22.5 years (standard deviation: 9.2), and 56.5% were female. Overall, for HIV, the prevalence was 0.13% (57/43,221), and for syphilis, the prevalence was 1.82% (745/40,934). The prevalence in men, women, and pregnant women for HIV was 0.16%, 0.11%, and 0.07%, respectively, and for syphilis, it was 2.23%, 1.51%, and 1.52%, respectively. The district Vale do Javari had the highest prevalence of both infections (HIV: 3.38%, syphilis: 1.39%). This district also had the highest population mobility and intrusion and the lowest availability of prenatal services. Syphilis infection was independently associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.05), male sex (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.14–1.52), and mobility (moderate: OR: 7.46, 95% CI: 2.69–20.67; high: OR 7.09, 95% CI: 3.79–13.26).ConclusionsThe large-scale integration of RT in remote areas increased case detection among pregnant women, especially for syphilis, in districts with higher vulnerability. Mobility is an important risk factor, especially in districts with higher vulnerability. Contextually appropriate approaches that address this factor could contribute to the long-term success of HIV and syphilis control programs.
prevalences were reported among 16-19 year olds for CT 13% (95% CI; 10.8-16.4), NG, 12% (95% CI; 9.7-15.1) and TV, 17%(95% CI; 13.7-21.1). There were 17,848 STI tests conducted in 2010 and among females aged 16-34; 33.3% had ≥ 1 STI (highest in 16-19 year olds: 48.9%) and 21.3% of males had ≥ 1 STI (highest in 16-19 year olds:33.4%). The most frequent co-infection was CT and NG which was found in 3.4% of females (highest in 16-19 year olds: 8.6%) and 3.9% of males (highest in 16-19 year olds:10.1%). Discussion STRIVE has provided information not previously available in regard to a comprehensive epidemiological picture of STI morbidity and health service responses in remote Aboriginal communities and highlights work required especially among young people. The results of STRIVE may be of relevance to other areas globally with STI endemic rates. Background The availability of point of care(POC) tests for infectious diseases has revolutionised the provision of health care for remote rural populations without access to laboratories. However, little attention has been given to quality assurance for POC tests. In a screening project that tested 45,226 adults of both sexes by 268 Health Care Workers(HCWs), in remote indigenous populations in the Amazon region of Brazil, where the overall prevalence of syphilis was 1.6%, and of HIV 0.1%, we evaluated the use of Dry Tube Specimens(DTS) for External Quality Assurance(EQA) for POC HIV and Syphilis tests. Methods The EQA programme was implemented from March 2010 to March 2011 using DTS panels developed by a reference laboratory, containing samples with negative and positive results at different antibody concentrations, for HIV and Syphilis infection. These were re-suspended and tested in the communities by each HCW. We also conducted stability tests for the panels at the reference laboratory. Results Results from 268 HCWs, responsible for implementing the POC tests at six Indigenous District(DSEI) participated in the EQA programme, showed a concordance rate of 90% for syphilis and 93% for HIV (Kappa coefficients of 0.74 and 0.78 respectively) with reference laboratories for a total of 1,608 determinations. The highest rate of inaccurate diagnoses occurred in positive samples of very low antibody concentration (40% for syphilis and 11.9% for HIV). The stability tests showed that titers were stable for up to one week at 30°C in dry conditions. Conclusion The results show that errors in the interpretation of POC test results were identified by the EQA programme using DTS. The use of POC tests for syphilis and HIV is now recommended as a policy by the Brazilian government. EQA/using DTS can help to improve the quality of these screening programmes and is already being implemented nationally.
Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis is not routinely offered to young asymptomatic women in Brazil. This study evaluated the performance, usefulness, and operational suitability of the Digene Hybrid Capture II (HCII) CT-ID DNA-test as an opportunistic screening tool to detect C. trachomatis in the public health system in Manaus, Amazonas State. Women aged 14-25 years who attended primary health care services were interviewed and one cervical specimen was collected during cytological screening. The HCII CT test was evaluated for its ability to detect the presence of C. trachomatis and against real-time PCR (q-PCR) in a subset of samples. Operational performance was assessed through interviews with providers and patients. Overall, 1,187 women were screened, and 1,169 had a HCII CT-ID test result (292 of these were also tested by q-PCR). Of those, 13.1% (n = 153) were positive. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of HCII CT were 72.3% (95%CI: 65.4-78.6), 91.3% (95%CI: 84.1-95.9), 93.8% (95%CI: 88.5-97.1), and 64.4% (95%CI: 56.0-72.1), respectively. Sample collection caused discomfort in 19.7% of women. Among health professionals (n = 52), the main barriers reported included positive cases who did not return for results (56.4%), unwillingness to screen without an appointment (45.1%), and increase in their workload (38.8%). HCII CT-ID identified a high proportion of C. trachomatis cases among young women in Manaus. However, its moderate sensitivity limits its use as an opportunistic screening tool in primary health care settings in Manaus. Screening was well accepted although the barriers we identified, especially among health professionals, challenge screening detection and treatment efforts.
Background There is a renewed interest in including men who have sex with men (MSM) in global HIV surveillance. A multicenter study of 10 Brazilian cities was designed to generate a national-level estimate the prevalence of HIV and syphilis among MSM. This abstracts presents the results of one of the participating cities. Objectives To establish a baseline among MSM in Manaus to continuously monitor the prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection, level of knowledge about STI/HIV/AIDS, prevailing sexual attitudes and practices, and frequency of acts of discrimination against MSM. Methodology A cross-sectional study of 824 MSM (>18 years old) was conducted from October to May 2008 using respondent-driven sampling (RDS)-a chain-link and snowball sampling method that generates probability-based samples and is systematic, so it can be used to develop comparable surveillance data. Results The weighted prevalence obtained with the use of Respondent-Driven Sampling Analysis Tool (RDSAT) software were 6.8% (CI 4.9 to 9.8) for HIV and 4.0% (CI 2.6 to 5.8) for syphilis. A number of participants reported sex with both men and women (47.8% of HIV positive and 56.1% of syphilis cases), while 20% of HIV positive and 30% of syphilis cases classified themselves as gay or homosexual. A previous infection of syphilis was the main predictive variables associated with HIV. The average age of first intercourse was 13.25 (with a range 5À23). This pattern of early sex suggests abuse. Fifty four point five per cent of participants had their first sexual intercourse with men, 42.6% with women, and 2.2% with transvestites. Participants also reportedd41% (CI 37 to 47) used condoms in their first relationship, 73.1% (CI 69.7 to 77.2) had at least one casual sex partner during the previous 12 months, 31.6% (CI 27.7 to 35.9) used condoms consistently with casual relationships if they were with men and 15.5% (CI 11.9 to 18.9) with a woman. Nineteen per cent of MSM said they had been the target of direct physical aggression due to their sexual identity, 10% reported being forced to have sex against their will, and over 30% reported being humiliated or disrespected because of their sexual orientation.
prevalences were reported among 16-19 year olds for CT 13% (95% CI; 10.8-16.4), NG, 12% (95% CI; 9.7-15.1) and TV, 17%(95% CI; 13.7-21.1). There were 17,848 STI tests conducted in 2010 and among females aged 16-34; 33 Background The availability of point of care(POC) tests for infectious diseases has revolutionised the provision of health care for remote rural populations without access to laboratories. However, little attention has been given to quality assurance for POC tests. In a screening project that tested 45,226 adults of both sexes by 268 Health Care Workers(HCWs), in remote indigenous populations in the Amazon region of Brazil, where the overall prevalence of syphilis was 1.6%, and of HIV 0.1%, we evaluated the use of Dry Tube Specimens(DTS) for External Quality Assurance(EQA) for POC HIV and Syphilis tests. Methods The EQA programme was implemented from March 2010 to March 2011 using DTS panels developed by a reference laboratory, containing samples with negative and positive results at different antibody concentrations, for HIV and Syphilis infection. These were re-suspended and tested in the communities by each HCW. We also conducted stability tests for the panels at the reference laboratory. Results Results from 268 HCWs, responsible for implementing the POC tests at six Indigenous District(DSEI) participated in the EQA programme, showed a concordance rate of 90% for syphilis and 93% for HIV (Kappa coefficients of 0.74 and 0.78 respectively) with reference laboratories for a total of 1,608 determinations. The highest rate of inaccurate diagnoses occurred in positive samples of very low antibody concentration (40% for syphilis and 11.9% for HIV). The stability tests showed that titers were stable for up to one week at 30°C in dry conditions. Conclusion The results show that errors in the interpretation of POC test results were identified by the EQA programme using DTS. The use of POC tests for syphilis and HIV is now recommended as a policy by the Brazilian government. EQA/using DTS can help to improve the quality of these screening programmes and is already being implemented nationally.
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