Alcohol, drugs, and risky sexual behavior are related to HIV infection in female adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To examine associations between risk factors for HIV infection in a sample of young women who sought HIV testing in a city of southern Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study with a consecutive convenience sample of 258 female adolescents aged 13 to 20 years evaluated in an anonymous testing site for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in Brazil. Risk behavior for HIV was assessed with the Brazilian version of the Risk Assessment Battery and HIV status was assessed through ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Results: Overall seropositivity rate was 7.4%. HIV-seropositive patients had significantly more sexual intercourse in exchange for money, higher rates of pregnancy and abortion, as well as earlier sexual debut. In multiple analyses with the inclusion of two composite variables (sex risk and drug risk), only drug risk was associated with positive HIV status (OR = 4.178; IC 95% = 1.476-11.827). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high HIV seropositivity among female adolescents seeking HIV testing in Brazil directly reflects the need for effective interventions specifically designed to prevent risk behaviors in order to halt the spread of HIV infection. Descriptors

A scoping review of prevalence, incidence and risk factors for HIV infection amongst young people in Brazil

“…In addition, amongst 20 to 24 years old, non-pregnant women had a prevalence of 5,8%, pregnant women 0,47% and men 6,4%. Female members of an expanded sample of 13-20 year old females attending this CTA over the same period had an HIV prevalence of 7.4% [18]. The same authors report an HIV prevalence of 6.2% in another overlapping group of adolescents visiting the clinic [19], although they did not report when the data was collected within the article.…”

“…First, Bassols and colleagues reported in two articles that several sexual and drug behaviours were positively associated with HIV infection amongst CTA attendees in Porto Alegre [18, 19]. In the earlier study, HIV seropositivity was also positively associated with early sexual initiation (<12 years old) and unprotected sexual intercourse with a male partner (whether the respondent was male or female).…”

HIV, Hepatitis C, and Abstinence from Alcohol Among Injection and Non-injection Drug Users

“…However, whether drug users with HIV or HCV are more likely to limit drinking due to these risks remains unclear. Several studies not focused on drug users [17–23] and one study in injection drug users [24] suggest that individuals with HIV drink as much or more than those without HIV. Although some studies not targeting drug users show that HCV patients reduce drinking after being informed that they have HCV [25, 26], others show that they are still more likely to drink [27] and have alcohol use disorders [28] than those without HCV.…”

Induced abortion and adolescent mental health

“…Another concomitant of unwanted pregnancy is adolescent alcohol and substance abuse and/or conduct disorder, leading to risky sexual behavior [21]. There is reason to believe that pre-existing psychiatric illness, at all ages, is a factor in unplanned pregnancy leading to abortion [22 ].…”