Document 0950
 DOCN  M94A0950
 TI    Prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS behavioral risk among port workers
       in Santos, Brazil.
 DT    9412
 AU    Lacerda RM; Tellini R; Ruiz M; Troiani A; Stall R; Hearst N; Nucleo de
       Educacao e Prevencao as DST/AIDS, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):243 (abstract no. PC0332). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371625
 AB    OBJECTIVES: The Type 2 (or developing world) AIDS epidemic is most
       concentrated in transportation corridors, where men away from home
       engage in multiple sexual risks for HIV transmission. We measured HIV
       seroprevalence and behavioral risks for HIV infection among male port
       workers in the largest port in Latin America (Santos, Brazil) to
       determine whether this pattern of spread of HIV infection is also
       occurring in Latin America. METHODS: We took a random sample (n = 400)
       of male workers from one of the largest companies at the port of Santos,
       with approximately 15,000 workers. Men were invited to participate in
       the study at private interview rooms in the Department of Health for the
       port. Participation in the study involved taking a risk history and
       donating a blood sample for HIV testing. Western blot was used to
       confirm positive results from Elisa tests. Following are data from the
       first 105 interviews. RESULTS: Almost all of the men (97%) have a
       primary female partner, but 24% of the entire sample are either
       non-monogamous and do not use condoms consistently, or are single and do
       not use condoms consistently. 5% of the sample have sex with other men,
       and 22% of the sample reported STD symptoms or STD diagnoses during the
       previous year. No one admitted to intravenous drug use, but other drug
       use (especially cocaine) was reported. HIV seroprevalence for the sample
       was 1% (n = 1). DISCUSSION: The City of Santos is thought to have the
       highest HIV seroprevalence rate in Brazil. HIV infection is present, but
       at a low rate, among male port workers at the center of the largest
       transportation system in Brazil. Despite the low rate of HIV infection
       itself, there is clearly sufficient sexual risk to support ongoing
       spread of HIV within this population.
 DE    Brazil/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Female  Human  HIV Infections/*TRANSMISSION  *HIV
       Seroprevalence  Male  Random Allocation  *Risk-Taking  *Sex Behavior
       Transportation  MEETING ABSTRACT

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