HIV infection and related risk behaviors in a community of recyclable waste collectors of Santos, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis and to describe risk behaviors associated to their transmission among recyclable waste collectors.


METHODS
A seroepidemiological survey was carried out in the city of Santos, Southeastern Brazil, in 2005. A total of 315 individuals were enrolled in the survey, of which 253 subjects underwent serological testing HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis. Statistical analysis consisted of univariate and bivariate analyses (cross-tabulation and odds ratio) and multivariate analysis (by logistic regression), relating HIV infection with established risk behaviors and seropositivity.


RESULTS
Overall seroprevalences were: HIV, 8.9%; hepatitis B, 34.4%; hepatitis C, 12.4%; and syphilis, 18.4%. Subjects were characterized by a predominance of males with low educational and economic levels, subjected to parenteral and sexual exposures to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Multivariate analysis results indicated that risk factors for both sexually and parenterally related exposure were significantly associated with HIV in this community.


CONCLUSIONS
Seroprevalences found in the study were approximately 10 to 12 times higher than the national average. These communities are socially marginalized and generally not recognized by national programs as potentially endangered populations.
Rozman
Mauro Abrahão
MA
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Católica de Santos, Santos, SP, Brazil.
Alves
Igor Santino
IS
Porto
Marcela Alves
MA
Gomes
Patrícia Oliveira
PO
Ribeiro
Nilva Maria
NM
Nogueira
Lucyene Aparecida Andrade
LA
Caseiro
Marcos Monteiro
MM
Silva
Vera Aparecida da
VA
Massad
Eduardo
E
Burattini
Marcelo Nascimento
MN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011287:Prejudice; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult