Sexual behaviour and infection rates for HIV, blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections among patients attending drug treatment centres in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

A survey was carried out in 2 drug use treatment centres (TCs) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to assess risk behaviours, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections/blood-borne infections (STIs/BBIs). Two hundred and twenty-five drug users (195 males and 30 females) were interviewed and clinically examined, and their blood and urine were tested for STIs/BBIs. Prevalences (%) for these infections were as follows--HIV: 0.9, hepatitis B virus (HBV): 14.7, hepatitis C virus (HCV): 5.8, syphilis: 5.3, gonorrhoea/chlamydia (CT/NG): 4.7. In bivariate analyses CT/NG infection was associated with younger age (P=0.003); current genitourinary symptoms (odds ratio [OR]=6.2) and a mainly illegal source of income (OR=9.1). Hepatitis C infection was associated with a history of ever having injected any drug (OR=19.6), and with each one of the injected drugs. After multiple logistic regression, lower educational level (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.70) and 'ever having injected drugs' (AOR=3.69) remained as independent risk factors for hepatitis B infection. In conclusion, TCs must implement programmes directed towards the prevention of STIs/BBIs.

Multiple infections and associated risk factors among non-injecting cocaine users in Argentina

“…We also found a protective association between knowledge of being HIV-positive and condom use with either regular or casual sex partners, which could be associated with an altruistic or solidarity-based positive attitude toward safe sex 18 . On the other hand, having unprotected sex when under the influence of drugs showed an increased risk of becoming HBV-infected.…”

Assessing risk behaviors and prevalence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections among female crack cocaine users in salvador - Bahia, Brazil

“…So far, the comprehensive "Programa de Saúde da Família" (Family Health Program), the Brazilian Ministry of Health's key strategy for improving access and standards of care for underserved communities, has reached only a small percentage of the Salvador population, with an estimated coverage of 131,146 inhabitants, corresponding to 5.4% of a total population of 2,443,107, most of whom live in impoverished communities [51].…”

Diagnostic Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Antibodies in Urine: a Brazilian Study

“…Group B included 225 drug users recruited from drug treatment centers in Rio de Janeiro and taking part in a study addressing the relationship between sexual and drug-taking behavior and infection rates for HIV and other blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections (1). At the time of sample collection, the participants also answered a detailed questionnaire.…”

“…Data were entered into two spreadsheets. Group B patients were recruited by an epidemiological study, and their demographic, sociobehavioral, and laboratory data were analyzed as described by Bastos et al (1). For group A patients, only descriptive statistics were provided.…”