Περίληψη:
Objective: To determine trends in HIV seroprevalence and related risk
factors among patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to
report the respective epidemiologic history characteristics.
Methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study conducted from 1990
to 1996 among 5,669 symptomatic STD cases was carried out.
Results: The overall HIV test acceptance was 98.9%, and 1.2% patients
(n = 66) were seropositive, Highest rates were detected among those who
were born or resided in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seropositivity fluctuates
significantly by age, and is excessive in persons 45 years and older
(2.6%). A significant decreasing trend in STD incidence and HIV
seroprevalence among patients younger than 25 years was detected. Male
homosexuals and bisexuals (MSM) exhibited the highest overall rate of
infection (5.8%) followed by intravenous drug users (2%), Highly
promiscuous STD patients (ie, those who had more than 10 partners during
the past 6 months) presented a significantly increased HIV
seroprevalence when compared with patients of the same sexual
orientation. STD patients infected with HIV mostly belonged to notable
risk categories of AIDS (men who have sex with men, 72.7%), Awareness
of serostatus was law (13.6%). In male patients, the HIV seropositivity
rate was significantly higher among early syphilis and proctitis cases,
whereas in females this higher rate occurred with herpes genitalis.
Conclusions: Promiscuity and sexual orientation significantly influence
the seroprevalence rate. Exposure to HIV remained stable despite the
above declining time trends, which implies the need for additional
preventive interventions targeted to the real health and illness
behavior of the partner.
