title: Risk-taking behavior for HIV acquisition during pregnancy in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
abstract: Recent studies suggest that acquisition of HIV-1 infection during pregnancy and breastfeeding is associated with a high risk of HIV mother-to-child transmission. This study evaluates risk factors associated with HIV acquisition during pregnancy in women delivering at a large metropolitan medical facility located in the south of Brazil. From February to August 2009, our group conducted a cross-sectional study assessing women's risk for HIV acquisition by administering an oral survey to peripartum women. Of 2465 participants, 42% (n = 1046) knew that partner had been tested for HIV. During pregnancy, 82% (n = 2022) of participants never used condoms; yet 97% (n = 2399) practiced vaginal sex. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with more years of education, in a relationship for more than 1 year, and who knew their own HIV status were more likely to know their partners' HIV status (P < 0.05). Those who were in relationship for more than 1 year and were married/living together were more likely to be comfortable discussing HIV testing with partners (P < 0.05). In conclusion, women in Brazil are at risk of HIV-infection during pregnancy as they remain sexually active, often do not know their sexual partner's HIV status, and have minimal condom use.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nyeganeh@mednet.ucla.edu
authors: Nava
authors: N
authors: Yeganeh
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Varella
authors: Breno Riegel
authors: BR
authors: Santos
authors: Marineide
authors: M
authors: Gonçalves de Melo
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Simon
authors: Taui
authors: T
authors: Melo
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Nielsen-Saines
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult