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Risk behaviors for HCV- and HIV-seroprevalence among female crack users in Porto Alegre, Brazil

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Abstract

Several studies have shown a high prevalence of HIV-seropositive status among crack users, though most refer to North American populations. Few studies evaluate HCV prevalence among female crack users. In addition, there is a particular lack of data about risk behaviors and HIV/HCV prevalence in this population around the world. In order to ascertain the HIV/HCV serostatus and associated risk behaviors for infection of female crack users of Porto Alegre, Brazil. A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 73 current female crack users was conducted. Subjects answered NIDA’s Risk Behavior Assessment and an AIDS Information Questionnaire. In addition, blood was collected from subjects for HIV/HCV tests. The overall prevalence of HIV was 37.0%; HCV seroprevalence was 27.7%; of 15.1% the sample was co-infected with HIV and HCV. Four years of schooling or fewer (OR 4.72–CI 95%; 1.49–14.99) and having three or more HIV tests in one’s lifetime (OR 4.26–CI 95% (1.29–14.04)) were associated with HIV infection (after multivariate logistic regression). The single greatest risk factor for HCV infection was having 4 years of schooling or fewer (OR 4.51–CI 95%; 1.18–17.27). We found a very high prevalence of HIV and HCV infection among female crack users, and low education was the most significant risk factor associated with both infections.

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Notes

  1. Available upon request to the main author.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Drs. James A. Inciardi, Hilary Surratt, and Steven Martin for the organization and supervision of data collection that produced the database used for this article, and undergraduate student Raquel Saldanha for the help with the literature review.

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  1. Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2350, room 2201B, Porto Alegre, 90035-903, Brazil

    Lisia von Diemen, Raquel De Boni, Félix Kessler, Daniela Benzano & Flavio Pechansky

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  1. Lisia von Diemen
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  2. Raquel De Boni
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  3. Félix Kessler
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Correspondence to Lisia von Diemen.

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von Diemen, L., De Boni, R., Kessler, F. et al. Risk behaviors for HCV- and HIV-seroprevalence among female crack users in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Arch Womens Ment Health 13, 185–191 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0089-y

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