title: Temporal trends of HIV-related risk behavior among Brazilian military conscripts, 1997-2002.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present selected results of military conscript surveys related to HIV/AIDS, conducted in Brazil, 1997-2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires including information on socio-demographic data, sexual behavior practices, sexually transmitted infections-related problems, and use of injecting drugs were completed by 30970 individuals, obtained through a 2-stage sampling. An index of sexual risk behavior was developed to take into account multiplicity of partners and irregularity of condom use. The HIV infection prevalence rate was estimated for 2002. Logistic regression was used to identify the most important determinants of HIV infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of regular condom use increased from 38% (1997) to 49% (2002), and the index of sexual risk behavior decreased from 0.98 in 1997 to 0.87, in 2002. The HIV infection prevalence rate was 0.09%, in 2002, which remained unchanged since 1998 Riskier sexual practices among young men with incomplete education and among "men who have sex with men" were found as well as among the participants who reported at least one sexually transmitted infections - related problem. The most important predictor of HIV infection was to be positive for syphilis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The estimated value of the HIV infection prevalence supports the diagnosis of a concentrated HIV epidemic, in Brazil. Results indicate that particular attention needs to be paid for regional differentials, and for special subgroups, in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Health Information Department, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Célia Landmann
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Szwarcwald
authors.forename: Marcelo Felga
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Aristides
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbosa Júnior
authors.forename: Draurio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barreira
authors.forename: Francisco Almeida Braga
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Speranza
authors.forename: Euclides Ayres
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: de Castilho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires