Knowledge of AIDS and HIV Transmission Among Drug Users in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Overview

Journal Harm Reduct J

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Pharmacology
Psychiatry

Date 2011 Feb 18

PMID 21324119

Citations 9

Authors

Neilane Bertoni

Merril Singer

Cosme Mfp Silva

Scott Clair

Monica Malta

Francisco I Bastos

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Proper knowledge of HIV transmission is not enough for people to adopt protective behaviors, but deficits in this information may increase HIV/AIDS vulnerability.

Objective: To assess drug users' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the possible association between knowledge and HIV testing.

Methods: A Cross-sectional study conducted in 2006/7 with a convenience sample of 295 illicit drug users in Rio de Janeiro, assessing knowledge on AIDS/HIV transmission and its relationship with HIV testing. Information from 108 randomly selected drug users who received an educational intervention using cards illustrating situations potentially associated with HIV transmission were assessed using Multidimensional Scaling (MDS).

Results: Almost 40% of drug users reported having never used condoms and more than 60% reported not using condoms under the influence of substances. Most drug users (80.6%) correctly answered that condoms make sex safer, but incorrect beliefs are still common (e.g. nearly 44% believed HIV can be transmitted through saliva and 55% reported that HIV infection can be transmitted by sharing toothbrushes), with significant differences between drug users who had and who had not been tested for HIV. MDS showed queries on vaginal/anal sex and sharing syringes/needles were classified in the same set as effective modes of HIV transmission. The event that was further away from this core of properly perceived risks referred to blood donation, perceived as risky. Other items were found to be dispersed, suggesting inchoate beliefs on transmission modes.

Conclusions: Drug users have an increased HIV infection vulnerability compared to the general population, this specific population expressed relevant doubts about HIV transmission, as well as high levels of risky behavior. Moreover, the findings suggest that possessing inaccurate HIV/AIDS knowledge may be a barrier to timely HIV testing. Interventions should be tailored to such specific characteristics.

Citing Articles

Cocaine-Induced DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Relieves RNAP II Pausing by Promoting TRIM28 Phosphorylation and RNAP II Hyperphosphorylation to Enhance HIV Transcription.

Sharma A, Tyagi P, Khumallambam M, Tyagi M Cells. 2024; 13(23).

PMID: 39682697 PMC: 11640508. DOI: 10.3390/cells13231950.

Cocaine-induced DNA-PK relieves RNAP II pausing by promoting TRIM28 phosphorylation.

Sharma A, Tyagi P, Khumallambam M, Tyagi M bioRxiv. 2024; .

PMID: 39229050 PMC: 11370412. DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.19.608673.

Socio-cognitive factors influencing access to HIV prevention services among people who inject drugs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: An integrated bio-behavioural survey.

Likindikoki S, Meyrowitsch D, Mizinduko M, Ishungisa A, Tersbol B, Leyna G PLoS One. 2022; 17(1):e0261500.

PMID: 35089928 PMC: 8797198. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261500.

Epidemiological risk factors associated with primary infection by Epstein-Barr virus in HIV-1-positive subjects in the Brazilian Amazon region.

Pereira L, Franca E, Costa I, Lima I, Freire A, Ramos F Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):18476.

PMID: 34531433 PMC: 8446016. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97707-4.

The risks of HCV infection among Brazilian crack cocaine users: incorporating diagnostic test uncertainty.

Coutinho C, Bastos L, Da Mota J, Toledo L, Costa K, Bertoni N Sci Rep. 2019; 9(1):443.

PMID: 30679480 PMC: 6346030. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35657-0.

References

Vermeer W, Bos A, Mbwambo J, Kaaya S, Schaalma H . Social and cognitive variables predicting voluntary HIV counseling and testing among Tanzanian medical students. Patient Educ Couns. 2008; 75(1):135-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2008.08.022. View

Tucker J, DAmico E, Wenzel S, Golinelli D, Elliott M, Williamson S . A prospective study of risk and protective factors for substance use among impoverished women living in temporary shelter settings in Los Angeles County. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005; 80(1):35-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.03.008. View

Parry C, Carney T, Petersen P, Dewing S, Needle R . HIV-risk behavior among injecting or non-injecting drug users in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban, South Africa. Subst Use Misuse. 2009; 44(6):886-904. DOI: 10.1080/10826080802487028. View

Hacker M, Leite I, Friedman S, Carrijo R, Bastos F . Poverty, bridging between injecting drug users and the general population, and "interiorization" may explain the spread of HIV in southern Brazil. Health Place. 2008; 15(2):514-519. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2008.09.011. View

Szwarcwald C, Barbosa-Junior A, Pascom A, de Souza-Junior P . Knowledge, practices and behaviours related to HIV transmission among the Brazilian population in the 15-54 years age group, 2004. AIDS. 2005; 19 Suppl 4:S51-8. DOI: 10.1097/01.aids.0000191491.66736.16. View

Barbosa Junior A, Pascom A, Szwarcwald C, Dhalia C, Monteiro L, Simao M . [Proposed UNGASS indicators and the monitoring of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil]. Rev Saude Publica. 2006; 40 Suppl:94-100. DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102006000800013. View

Farmer P . Social scientists and the new tuberculosis. Soc Sci Med. 1997; 44(3):347-58. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(96)00143-8. View

Epstein J, Seitz R, Dhingra N, Ganz P, Gharehbaghian A, Spindel R . Role of regulatory agencies. Biologicals. 2009; 37(2):94-102. DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2009.01.004. View

Adam P, de Wit J, Toskin I, Mathers B, Nashkhoev M, Zablotska I . Estimating levels of HIV testing, HIV prevention coverage, HIV knowledge, and condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low-income and middle-income countries. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2009; 52 Suppl 2:S143-51. DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181baf111. View

10.

Ferreira M . [Knowledge and risk perception on HIV/AIDS by Brazilian population, 1998 and 2005]. Rev Saude Publica. 2008; 42 Suppl 1:65-71. DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102008000800009. View

11.

Malta M, Monteiro S, Lima R, Bauken S, Marco A, Zuim G . HIV/AIDS risk among female sex workers who use crack in Southern Brazil. Rev Saude Publica. 2008; 42(5):830-7. DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102008000500007. View

12.

Clair S, Singer M, Huertas E, Weeks M . Unintended consequences of using an oral HIV test on HIV knowledge. AIDS Care. 2003; 15(4):575-80. DOI: 10.1080/0954012031000134809. View

13.

Malta M, Magnanini M, Mello M, Pascom A, Linhares Y, Bastos F . HIV prevalence among female sex workers, drug users and men who have sex with men in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2010; 10:317. PMC: 2898825. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-317. View

14.

Nunn A, Fonseca E, Bastos F, Gruskin S . AIDS treatment in Brazil: impacts and challenges. Health Aff (Millwood). 2009; 28(4):1103-13. PMC: 2782963. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.4.1103. View

15.

Singer M, Clair S, Malta M, Bastos F, Bertoni N, Santelices C . Doubts remain, risks persist: HIV prevention knowledge and HIV testing among drug users in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Subst Use Misuse. 2010; 46(4):511-22. DOI: 10.3109/10826081003720881. View

16.

Kelly J, St Lawrence J, Hood H, Brasfield T . An objective test of AIDS risk behavior knowledge: scale development, validation, and norms. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1989; 20(3):227-34. DOI: 10.1016/0005-7916(89)90027-x. View

17.

Fortenberry J, Orr D, Katz B, Brizendine E, Blythe M . Sex under the influence. A diary self-report study of substance use and sexual behavior among adolescent women. Sex Transm Dis. 1997; 24(6):313-9. DOI: 10.1097/00007435-199707000-00001. View

18.

Bastos F, Cunha C, Bertoni N . [Use of psychoactive substances and contraceptive methods by the Brazilian urban population, 2005]. Rev Saude Publica. 2008; 42 Suppl 1:118-26. DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102008000800014. View

19.

Roehr B . Pope's comment on condom use will help HIV prevention, say activists. BMJ. 2010; 341:c6734. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.c6734. View

20.

Hacker M, Malta M, Enriquez M, Bastos F . Human immunodeficiency virus, AIDS, and drug consumption in South America and the Caribbean: epidemiological evidence and initiatives to curb the epidemic. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2005; 18(4-5):303-13. DOI: 10.1590/s1020-49892005000900011. View