AEGiS-13IAC: Injecting drug use and HIV and HCV infections in the prison system of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Injecting drug use and HIV and HCV infections in the prison system of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. TuPeD3674)

Bauer PG, Biondi EJ, Santos JL, Veiga LP, Mattos HP, Carvalho ML, Saad AC, Leandro EA, Lacerda AC
P.G.Bauer, Superintendencia de Saude, Rua Bario de Itambi No 60 - G2, Botafogo, CEP 22231-000, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Tel.: +55 21 399 7339, Fax: +55 21 399 7339, E-mail: pigbau@yahoo.com

BACKGROUND: Injecting drug use is the main route for HIV and HCV infections in prison settings in the world. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, cases of AIDS due to drug injection are relatively low in comparison with other Brazilian states, although drug consumption, mainly cocaine, is high. Therefore it was necessary to know the situation in prison.

METHODS: The Health Superintendency of the Secretary of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro concluded in 1999 a study on 15% of male (1173), most female (513), most psychiatric patients (323) and a control group of known HIV positive inmates (106). Voluntary individual interviews on drug use, sexual behavior, STD history and voluntary tests of a smaller group of drug users on HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis (with pre- and post-counselling) were applied.

RESULTS: The study revealed characteristic figures for drug use and infections. While 3% and 1% of male prisoners confirmed former and actual injecting drug use, these numbers were 8%/0% for female, 10%/5% for psychiatric patients and 23%/15.5% for HIV positive male and 14%/0% for HIV positive female inmates. The data for HIV infections revealed 3.4% in male, 11.6% in female prisoners and 3.9% in drug using and 3.1% in non-drug using psychiatric patients. HCV infections were found in 7.1% of male, 10.1% of female, 12.5% of drug using and 3.1% of non-drug using psychiatric patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms (also by the iv drug use related HCV infection) the relatively low number of iv drug users found in the state of Rio de Janeiro, already mentioned by other investigators (Telles et al 1998), indirectly shown by the relatively low number of AIDS cases in this category in Rio (Ministry of Health 1998) and by the much higher numbers found in prisons in other states of Brazil (Massad 1998) and in the world (Nelles et al 1997). It will be important to identify the main reasons for this phenomenon and ensure its continuation beside increased prevention activities.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Prisons, HIV Seropositivity, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Prisoners, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Sex Behavior, Syphilis, Brazil, Human, Female, Male
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