A portrait of risk behavior towards HIV infection among Brazilian Army conscripts by geographic regions, 2016

• Autor(a) principal: Damacena,Giseli Nogueira
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Outros Autores: Szwarcwald,Célia Landmann, Motta,Leonardo Rapone da, Kato,Sérgio Kakuta, Adami,Aline de Gregori, Paganella,Machline Paim, Pereira,Gerson Fernando Mendes, Sperhacke,Rosa Dea
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista brasileira de epidemiologia (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1415-790X2019000200406
• topic: Military personnel; HIV; Risk behavior; Brazil

ABSTRACT Introduction: Knowledge about risky sexual behavior among young people has been widely acknowledged as a key tool to controlling the spread of HIV. This article aimed at presenting the risk behavior of Brazilian Army conscripts toward HIV infection according to the country’s geographic regions. . Method: We collected data from 37,282 conscripts, aged 17 to 22, during enlistment in the Brazilian Army in 2016. The prevalence of HIV infection, both self-reported and measured through laboratory results, and risk behavior factors were estimated by region. Results: 75% of the sample of conscripts reported to have already started sexual activity, and the average age of their sexual initiation was 15. Condom use varied according to the type of sexual relationship, being lower among steady partners and greater among less stable relationships. HIV prevalence assessed by laboratory tests was 0.12% across the country and the highest prevalence was observed in the North region (0.24%). Alcohol and illicit drug usage was higher in the South region. Discussion: The study allowed the observation of risk behavior monitoring for HIV infection among young Brazilians. Lower condom usage among steady partners may be contributing to an increase in the number of HIV-infected individuals. Conclusion: Results suggest the need to intensify prevention campaigns to disseminate safe sex practices among young people, in addition to the expansion of testing offer to this population.