Crack, AIDS, and Women in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is currently experiencing a growing number of newly recorded cases of HIV infection among women, with transmission mainly occurring by sex. This increase may be associated with the development of sexually risky behavior among female crack users who, according to informal reports, prostitute themselves for drugs or for money to be used for buying drugs. Since epidemiologic studies have not yet addressed this phenomenon, the aim of this study was to investigate this in depth using a qualitative ethnographic approach. An intentional sample was utilized, composed of 75 female crack users in S?o Paulo, who were selected by specific criteria using the snowball strategy and key informants. Fourteen different chains of users were investigated, allowing us to include the largest possible number and variety of users. Each participant was submitted to a semi-structured in-depth interview that was guided by a questionnaire. Verbal information was corroborated and extended using participative observation. These 14?45-year-old women, who had little schooling and no job connections, opted to sell their bodies as a strategy to obtain drugs and to satisfy their compulsive use of crack. The subjects engaged in up to nine acts of sexual intercourse per day, in unsafe locations and with multiple partners who were approached in a besieging way and selected using subjective criteria. These crack users generally exchanged sex under craving for ridiculously low prices and left the use of protection up to the client. Because the users used inadequate pipes to smoke crack, it was common for them to have lesions on their lips and mouths. Since they often provided oral sex, they exposed themselves to considerable risk for infection with STDs including HIV, because of the contact of their partners? semen with their open wounds. These women make up an important risk group with respect to the transmission of STDs including AIDS.

Influência do ambiente familiar no consumo de crack em usuários

“…(2)(3)(4) Few Brazilian studies have assessed family characteristics associated with the use of crack. (5) One study on family bonds among crack users who were receiving care from an emergency psychiatric service found severe losses in relationships between users and their family and social environment, as well as the presence of drugs and violence in the family environment.…”

Revisão sistemática da literatura sobre crack: análise do seu uso prejudicial nas dimensões individual e contextual

“…Entre os vários tipos de Substâncias Psicoativas (SPA) existentes, o artigo tem como foco o uso prejudicial do crack, pelo uso disseminado e crescente no Brasil a partir dos anos 1990, pelo destaque na mídia e pela forte associação a aspectos de vulnerabilidade social (NAPPO;SANCHEZ;OLIVEIRA, 2011).…”

Perfil Epidemiológico Da Aids Em Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brasil, Entre 2007 E 2011

“…É um agravo de grande magnitude, associado, muitas vezes, aos fatores socioeconômicos e culturais e ao acesso aos serviços de saúde. [1][2][3][4] A doença é causada pelo HIV, um retrovírus citopático da Família Retroviridae. As principais formas de transmissão da doença se dão por via sexual, sanguínea e vertical.…”

“…5,6 Nos últimos trinta anos, o perfil epidemiológico da aids em várias regiões do mundo vem apresentando mudanças, por exemplo a elevação do número de casos entre mulheres, jovens e pessoas com menor grau de escolaridade, além de heterossexualização e interiorização da epidemia. 3,4,7,8 Não obstante essas alterações, a OMS relata uma redução do número de casos em âmbito mundial.…”