Document 2451
 DOCN  M94A2451
 TI    Assessing risk behaviors and HIV seroprevalence among IDUs in two major
       ports of South America.
 DT    9412
 AU    Telles P; Bastos FI; Mesquita F; Stall R; Hearst N; Bueno R; NEPAD-UERJ,
       Brazil.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):301 (abstract no. PC0131). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370124
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To compare risk behaviors for HIV infection among IDUs in
       Santos (S) & Rio (R), Brazil. These are the largest ports in South
       America, and have the first (Santos) and 12th (Rio) highest incidence
       rates for AIDS in Brazil. METHODS: 479 IDUs in Rio and 220 in Santos
       were interviewed using the WHO multicity methodology and questionnaire.
       Behavioral data reported are for the six months prior to the interview,
       except as mentioned otherwise. RESULTS: The mean age of the two samples
       was similar (around 28 years old) and in both cities cocaine was
       injected by over 95% of the sample. Significant differences were found
       in sex ratio (Santos 42% female vs. Rio 13% female; p < .0001) and
       recruitment site--street/treatment. center--(S = 55% street recr. vs. R
       = 32% street recr.; p < .0001). IDUs in Santos both injected
       significantly more frequently (S = 51% vs. R = 33%; p < .0001, for
       frequencies of injection > 3x a week) and engaged more in syringes
       sharing (S = 54% vs. R = 30%; p < .0001), similar proportions of those
       interviewee of the 2 cities (S = 61% vs. R = 68%) cleaned injection
       equipment but most of them (S = 82% vs. R = 88%) only with water.
       Sexually active IDUs in Rio were more likely to never use condoms than
       their counterparts in Santos, both with primary partners (S = 69% vs. R
       = 83%; p < .004) and occasional partners (S = 46% vs. R = 63%; p < .007)
       of the opposite sex. On the other hand, sex with clients, of the
       opposite sex, was much more frequent in Santos than in Rio (S = 35% vs.
       R = 6%; p < .0001). Male-to-male sexual contacts, in the last 5 years,
       were reported by 36% of the males interviewed in Santos and 36% in Rio.
       For those engaged in male male-to-male sexual contacts in the last 6
       months, most of them (S = 67% vs. R = 73%) never used condoms.
       CONCLUSIONS: Despite the major differences observed, both
       cities--important transhipment routes of cocaine, are deeply afflicted
       by the HIV spread among their IDUs (seroprevalence for HIV in the
       samples: S = 63% & R = 33%), with possible important further spread to
       their sexual partners and offspring.
 DE    Adult  Brazil/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Female  Human  HIV Infections/TRANSMISSION
       *HIV Seroprevalence  Male  Risk Factors  *Sex Behavior  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).