Abstract

GRIEP, Rosane Harter; ARAUJO, Carla Luzia França  and  BATISTA, Sônia Maria. Risk behavior to HIV Infection among adolescents attending a STD/AIDS Testing and Counseling Center of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2005, vol.14, n.2, pp.119-126. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742005000200008.

This study aimed to investigate HIV-related behaviors among 820 adolescents, aged between 13 and 19 years of age, who underwent an HIV test of serum in the STD/AIDS Testing and Counseling Center, Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil. We used data from the STD-AIDS Testing and Counseling Information System (SI-CTA). The majority of subjects were from 17 to 19 years of age. Among pregnant women, the highest rates of HIV-positive tests were observed in young adolescents (aged 13 to 16 years) and married women with low literacy, compared to non-pregnant women, heterosexual men and men who had sexual intercourse with men (MSM). Aproximately 50% of adolescent females sought prenatal services, and 60% of adolescent males required HIV-testing due to a high risk exposure. Heterosexual adolescents, MSM, and non-pregnant women reported higher numbers of sexual partners, as well as more frequent condom use compared to pregnant women. The proportion of serum tests positive for HIV was 0.35%, 2.05%, 3.74%, and 4.81%, in pregnant, non-pregnant women, heterosexual men and MSM respectively. The data demonstrate the vulnerability of adolescents regarding HIV and points out the need for specific strategies to enhance their knowledge as well as preventive opportunities and options.

Keywords : HIV; AIDS; adolescents; sexually transmitted diseases; information systems.

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