Prevalence and Factors Associated With HIV in Homeless People

Abstract

BackgroundInfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compromises the immune system of infected people. Homeless people are more vulnerable to HIV infection due to behavioral and sexual factors. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in homeless people in a capital of Northeastern Brazil. MethodsCross-sectional study carried out at the Reference Center for the homeless population (Centro Pop), in a capital of Northeastern Brazil, from September/2017 to September/2018. Data collected through a semi-structured form including socio-demographic data, risk and sexual behaviors and anti-HIV serology. Data were analyzed using Person's Chi-square test. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the Federal University of Piauí. ResultsA prevalence of 3.9% was detected among the 204 homeless people investigated,, that is, 8-204 of anti-HIV reagent, with statistical significance in relation to sexual practice with people of the same sex p ≤ 0.012 and previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) p ≤ 0.002. There was a predominance of males 87.3%, 66.0% were over thirty years of age, 58.3% had less than 12 years of schooling, 84.8% declared they were non-white, 57.3% had no fixed income, 67.0% professed religion, 89.7% declared to be heterosexual, 71.5% did not use a condom during the first sexual intercourse, 28.4% had had sexual intercourse with people of the same sex, and 41.0% had a history of STI. ConclusionsHIV prevalence was higher than in people in the general population. Results show an association between history of any STI and more time on the streets. And also risk behaviors such as high consumption of alcohol and other drugs, low frequency of condom use, increased number of sexual partners.