Doubts remain, risks persist: HIV prevention knowledge and HIV testing among drug users in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Brazil has been recognized for being the first developing country to provide universal AIDS treatment. Brazil also implemented a comprehensive prevention initiative. These efforts have been successful, with about half the number of HIV/AIDS cases forecast in 1992 developing by 2000. However, HIV/AIDS continues to spread, including among not-in-treatment drug users. Questions have been raised about gaps in existing prevention efforts. Based on qualitative research in 2006-2008 with street drug users in Rio de Janeiro (focus groups, N=24; a pile sort, N=108; open-ended interviews, N=34), this paper examines enduring gaps in HIV knowledge and prevailing risk patterns and proposes strategies for strengthening prevention.
Singer
Merrill
M
Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA. merrill.singer@uconn.edu
Clair
Scott
S
Malta
Monica
M
Bastos
Francisco I
FI
Bertoni
Neilane
N
Santelices
Claudia
C
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001938:Brazil; D055030:Drug Users; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000517:prevention & control*