Risk factors for HIV infection in patients attending STI clinics in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

L. MARTINEZ PERALTA, R. CASCO, J. BENETUCCI, A. BERMEJO, M. LOSSO, P. CAHN, G. REBOREDO, A. CASIRÓ, M.WEISSENBACHER.

Bangkok

Congreso; XV International Conference on AIDS; 2004

International AIDS Society

Introduction: In Argentina, the proportion of HIV/AIDS cases attributable to heterosexual transmission has risen from 5% during 1982-1990 to 37 % in 2002 among men and from 20% at the beginning of the epidemic to 80% in 2002 among women. Objectives: This study focused on heterosexual men and women attending STI clinics in five hospitals of Buenos Aires City and aimed at obtaining information on the behavioral and sexual risks practices for HIV infection. Methods: One questionnaire about socio-demographic aspects and another about risk assessment, based mainly on sexual practices and use of drugs, were administered to 801 participants between October 2001 and December 2002. Results: Prevalence of HIV infection was 7.4 % and 18.6 % for syphilis. HIV infection was found to be associated with VDRL reactivity as well as having a previous STI, previous and current syphilis and previous HSV (OR: 1.87; 3.28; 3.53; 3.32). A higher risk of HIV infection was observed among: people who had ever been exposed to injecting party drugs; or who had ever had an injecting-drug partner, or who had had an HIV-infected partner (OR: 11.28; 2.59; 15.57; 18.10). Anal intercourse in both sexes was found to be associated with the risk of HIV infection (OR: 6.0). The risk of being infected with HIV was higher when participants stated that they had had sexual relations with HIV-infected people. To have had either protected or unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse with HIV-infected partners was associated with HIV infection, and the risk was always 10 times higher when sexual practices were unprotected. A significant association with HIV infection was found with the presence of ulcers, be it in the rectum, penis, or mouth (OR: 9.81; 2.01; 1.83). Conclusions: The high association of HIV infection with previous STIs as well as ulcerations in the genital mucosa along with risk practices and lack of prevention call for aggressive preventive measures.