[HIV vulnerability in women at social risk].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate HIV/AIDS vulnerability by risk factors in women at social risk.


METHODS
Study conducted in a sample of 178 female homemakers (n=101) and female health providers (n=77) from Antofagasta, Chile, in 20062007. Homemakers were considered at social risk. HIV vulnerability was estimated through a 21-item instrument comprising three domains: gender roles; relationship with the partner; and attitude toward condom use. For determining the relative weight of each dimension to total vulnerability a multiple regression analysis was carried out using the instrument's total score as dependent variable and each domain as independent variable.


RESULTS
Overall, the domain showing the highest relative weight was attitude toward condom use (0.542), followed by relationship with the partner (0.453) and gender roles (0.379). There were weight differences between homemakers: relationship with the partner (0.597), attitude toward condom use (0.508) and gender roles (0,403); and health providers: attitude toward condom use (0.638), relationship with the partner (0.397), and gender roles (0.307).


CONCLUSIONS
The study results allows to inferring that there are differences in factors that determine HIV vulnerability among women and gender role is the best predictor of risk among those at social risk.
Morales
Alfonso Urzúa
AU
Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile. alurzua@ucn.cl
Barreda
Patricia Zúñiga
PZ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012924:Social Conditions; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult