Prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis among adolescents in a juvenile justice system

Authors

  • Angélica E. Miranda
  • Adriana M. Zago

Keywords:

adolescents, prison, syphilis, HIV

Abstract

Background: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection and syphilis and identify risk factors for these infections among adolescents in a court stay juvenile justice system in Vitoria, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 1999. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and a blood sample was collected for testing HIV and syphilis. Results: A total of 103 adolescents were included, 92.2% male and 7.8% female. The prevalence rates were: HIV infection 4.9% (IC95% 1.0%-9.0%) and syphilis 7.8% (IC 95% 2.6%-12.8). The mean age was 16.3 years old (SD1.24) and mean education was 4.6 years of schooling (SD2.4). The mean time in prison was 2.1 days (SD37.63), ranging from 1 day to 5 months; previous imprisonment were reported by 34%. The risk factors accessed were: 52.4% never used condoms; 28.9% reported history of STDs and 50.5% used any illicit drug (cannabis 39.8%; glue 13.6%; snuffing cocaine 26.2%; crack 13.6% and injecting cocaine 10.7%). Injecting drug abuse were statistical associated to HIV infection (OR=27; 95%IC: 2..5-219.18), and syphilis (OR=8.7; 95% IC:1.5-50.83). Conclusion: Adolescents who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system in Vitoria are at significant risk for HIV infection. The rates identified in this study confirm that there is a problem to be controlled and show the urgent need for prevention programs and counseling to this population.

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Author Biographies

Angélica E. Miranda

Centro de Referência em DST/Aids, Vitória, ES.

Adriana M. Zago

Centro de Referência em DST/Aids, Vitória, ES

Published

2001-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Miranda AE, Zago AM. Prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis among adolescents in a juvenile justice system. DST [Internet]. 2001 Sep. 30 [cited 2025 Apr. 3];13(4):35-9. Available from: https://bjstd.org/revista/article/view/416

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Section

Original Article