The Dynamics of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemics in the South of Brazil: Increasing Role of Injection Drug Users

Changes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among injection drug users (IDUs) are provoking a shift in the pattern of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in some regions of Brazil. IDUs living in 2 cities (Porto Alegre and Itajaí) in southern Brazil were contacted, interviewed, and tested for HIV. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2003-12, Vol.37 (Supplement-5), p.S376-S381
Main Authors: Caiaffa, Waleska Teixeira, Proietti, Fernando Augusto, Proietti, Anna Bárbara Carneiro, Mingoti, Sueli Aparecida, Doneda, Denise, Gandolfi, Denise, Reis, Ângela Cristina Maia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
AIDS
AIDS serodiagnosis
Antivirals
Brazil
Brazil - epidemiology
Condoms
Disease Outbreaks
Epidemics
Female
HIV
HIV infections
HIV Infections - complications
HIV Infections - epidemiology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Injections
Male
Medical syringes
Needle exchange programs
Needle Sharing
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications
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Summary:Changes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among injection drug users (IDUs) are provoking a shift in the pattern of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in some regions of Brazil. IDUs living in 2 cities (Porto Alegre and Itajaí) in southern Brazil were contacted, interviewed, and tested for HIV. In 1998, 187 IDUs were surveyed and, in 2000, 352 IDUs. In Porto Alegre, HIV seroprevalence, age, and duration of injection history increased significantly over time. In contrast, a trend toward decline was observed in Itajaí. Homelessness, joblessness, and prison incarceration, as well as lifetime needle sharing, also increased over time in Porto Alegre. At the time of the study, at both sites, rates of needle sharing and condom use were similar, but use of syringe exchange programs, health and drug treatment, and HIV testing had increased over time. IDUs living in southern Brazil are at increased risk of HIV infection, indicating the continued need for permanent surveillance and preventive strategies.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1086/377555