Alcohol, drugs, and risky sexual behavior are related to HIV infection in female adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between risk factors for HIV infection in a sample of young women who sought HIV testing in a city of southern Brazil.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study with a consecutive convenience sample of 258 female adolescents aged 13 to 20 years evaluated in an anonymous testing site for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in Brazil. Risk behavior for HIV was assessed with the Brazilian version of the Risk Assessment Battery and HIV status was assessed through ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay).

RESULTS

Overall seropositivity rate was 7.4%. HIV-seropositive patients had significantly more sexual intercourse in exchange for money, higher rates of pregnancy and abortion, as well as earlier sexual debut. In multiple analyses with the inclusion of two composite variables (sex risk and drug risk), only drug risk was associated with positive HIV status (OR=4.178; IC 95%=1.476-11.827).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that high HIV seropositivity among female adolescents seeking HIV testing in Brazil directly reflects the need for effective interventions specifically designed to prevent risk behaviors in order to halt the spread of HIV infection.