title: Street youths are the only high-risk group for HIV in a low-prevalence South American country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure HIV prevalence in various subpopulations in Bolivia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2002 in Cochabamba, we offered voluntary counseling and testing to homeless street youths, registered and unregistered commercial sex workers, truck drivers, and prisoners. We examined surveillance data of pregnant women and blood donors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among street youths over 15, overall HIV prevalence was 3.5% (11/313), higher among those recruited in the street, lower among those recruited in centers for homeless; prevalence was 0.6% (2/334) and 0.5% (1/189) in female registered and nonregistered sex workers, respectively, and below 0.3% in all other groups. All HIV cases were attributed to sexual transmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a low-prevalence setting where intravenous drug use is uncommon, street youths are a threat for the expansion of the HIV epidemic. We argue that HIV prevention in this population requires a comprehensive approach to their health and social problems.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Diseases Control Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. mllambert@itg.be
authors.forename: Marie-Laurence
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Faustino
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torrico
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Billot
authors.forename: Deogatias
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazina
authors.forename: Boelaert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marleen
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van der Stuyft
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work