abstract: BACKGROUND: Epidemiological characterization in Chile points to the feminization, pauperization and heterosexualization of the HIV epidemic, which indicates increased risk for socially disadvantaged women. When the use of substances is added to this, the vulnerability of this group in terms of HIV is magnified. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of substances in socially disadvantaged women and to identify HIV/AIDS risk factors associated with the use or consumption of substances. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 52 women were interviewed as part of the project "Testing an HIV prevention intervention in Chilean women" GRANT # RO1 TW 006977. Socio-demographic and substance use variables are described through descriptive statistics, and the relationship between variables is analyzed using correlation tests. RESULTS: The results reveal a socio-demographic profile that places women in a vulnerable situation regarding transmission of HIV/AIDS, with high indices of substance use amplifying risk. CONCLUSIONS: These finding indicate the need for interventions focusing on HIV prevention in women that incorporate the risks associated with the consumption of substances.
authors.affiliation: PhD, Académico Escuela de Enfermería Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Adjunt Professor University of Miami, University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernales
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miner
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Irarrázabal
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Molina