No abstract

We determined the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the factors associated with infection and types of counseling received by men and women from health professionals in the City of São Paulo. The investigation consisted of a cross-sectional study conducted with men and women aged between 15 and 64 years living in the City of São Paulo. Of 4,057 individuals who had engaged in sexual activity, 6.3% reported previous history of a STI: 4.3% of women and 8.2% of men. The factors associated with STI were being aged over 34 years and not using a condom during first sexual intercourse, among men, and being aged over 25 years among women. Protective factors included not having had sexual intercourse with someone from the same sex, among men, and having initiated sexual activity after the age of 15 years and not having a casual sex partner over the last 12 months, among women. Counseling about the importance of HIV and syphilis testing was received by 72.1% and 64.7% of women, respectively, while fewer than half of the men received this type of counseling (40.2% and 38.6 %, respectively). The prevalence of previous history of a STI was high among the population of the City of São Paulo. The findings of this study informed the development, implementation, and evaluation of STI policies, including those directed at HIV, leading to a reduction in the barriers that hinder access to and use of condoms and the creation of STI prevention app.

This study shows a high prevalence of CT infection among young pregnant women in Brazil. We suggest that CT screening should be included as part of antenatal care routine in this group in Brazil.

Introduction: Homeless people are a vulnerable group to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) with high prevalence of syphilis and hepatitis. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of syphilis infection and its association with risky behaviors for STDs in a sample of homeless people, and to assess the feasibility of the use of rapid syphilis test (RST) in this population. Methods: Cross-sectional study, in a convenience sample of homeless people assisted in social support services of São Paulo, between 2006 and 2007. A structured questionnaire was applied and RST was performed. In addition, a blood sample for syphilis detection was also collected. The sensitivity and specificity of the RST was estimated using conventional laboratory diagnosis (VDRL + TPHA) as reference. Results: 1,405 volunteers were included in the study. The prevalence rate of syphilis was 7.0%, and was associated with homosexual practices (OR adj 4.9; 95%CI 2.6 -9.4), prior history of STD (OR adj 2.6; 95%CI 1.7 -4.0) and with self-referred non-white race (OR adj 1.9; 95%CI 1.1 -3.4). The sensitivity and specificity of the RST for syphilis were, respectively, 81.4 and 92.1%. Conclusion: The high prevalence of syphilis infection among homeless people shows the need for actions for its control and the utilization of RST that can be considered an efficient strategy due to its sensitivity and specificity. Public Health policymakers must strengthen actions for syphilis control, with screening tests for syphilis and early treatment, decreasing morbidity with the improvement of sexual and reproductive health of the population in general and especially the most vulnerable.

Results show a high prevalence of preterm labor among young women in Brazil. Preterm labor has multifactorial etiologies. More public health resources must be directed toward accelerating understanding of this complex process.

This study has observed high prevalence of infection by Chlamydia trachomatis and by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Brazilian pregnant women. The main risk factor for the infection has been to be under 20 years old.

Using the FHP as an approach to perform routine VDRL can contribute to decreasing the vulnerability of these women and help control congenital syphilis.

RESUMO: Introdução: O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores associados ao uso de preservativo na última relação sexual. Métodos: Inquérito de base populacional com jovens de 15 a 24 anos, residentes no município de São Paulo (MSP), que obteve informações sociodemográficas sobre conhecimentos e comportamentos sexuais por meio de questionário. Resultados: Entre os 821 jovens sexualmente ativos no último ano, o uso do preservativo na última relação foi positivamente associado a: 1) não ter sido casado; 2) uso de preservativo na primeira relação sexual; e 3) receber preservativos gratuitos; adicionalmente, em homens: 4) parceiro casual no último ano; e 5) parceiro do mesmo sexo; e em mulheres: 6) debut sexual após os 15 anos. Ter realizado teste anti-HIV mostrou associação negativa entre as mulheres. O preservativo é amplamente reconhecido; há um padrão de uso na primeira e na última relação sexual; o acesso ao preservativo gratuito é um importante fator para o seu uso pelos jovens; e as pessoas usam preservativo de acordo com padrões que configuram gestão de risco. Conclusões: A estratégia de prevenção primária com preservativos não está esgotada. A partir deste estudo, a cidade de São Paulo adotou a prevenção como política pública e alocou grandes dispensadores de preservativos nos 26 terminais de ônibus urbanos, por onde circulam 6milhões de pessoas diariamente. Em2016 foram distribuídos 75.546.720 preservativos gratuitos, entre os quais 30% apenas nos terminais de ônibus.