title: High human immunodeficiency virus type 1 seroprevalence in men who have sex with men in Buenos Aires, Argentina: risk factors for infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence in a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Buenos Aires City and to identify risk factors associated with HIV type 1 infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were invited to receive HIV counselling and testing at "NEXO" (a gay non-governmental organization) by means of informative leaflets distributed in gay nightclubs, porno cinemas, gymnasiums, and in the streets. During the encounter, the study was explained by a trained social worker and individuals were invited to volunteer for the study. Diagnosis of HIV was performed using two screening tests and Western Blot assay was used as confirmatory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human immunodeficiency virus was detected in 96 (13.8%; 95% CI: 11.4-16.7) of 694 MSM. Fourteen (14.6%) of the 96 HIV-positive MSM were already aware of their HIV serostatus. In univariate analysis, HIV-1 infection (odds ratio [OR] >1.5) was found to be associated with older age (30-39 years), being unemployed, a previous sexually transmitted disease (STD) history, and having an HIV-positive partner. Cocaine consumption and irregular use of condoms with occasional partners were also found to be risk factors. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, being unemployed (OR = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.17-9.99) and having an HIV-positive partner (OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.09-6.52) remained significant risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high HIV-1 prevalence observed suggests an urgent need for implementation of effective prevention campaigns. This represents the first cross-sectional epidemiological study of HIV among the high-risk group of MSM in Argentina.
authors.affiliation: National Reference Center for AIDS, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Maria de los Angeles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Pando
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maulen
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weissenbacher
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marone
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duranti
authors.forename: Liliana Martínez
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salomón
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Negrete
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sosa Estani
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montano
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Maria Mercedes
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Avila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment