[The AIDS epidemic in adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 in the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: space-time description].

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to analyze the dynamics of the AIDS epidemic affecting adolescents in Rio de Janeiro to establish healthy prevention strategies. The incidence of AIDS in Brazil is declining among men who have sex with men (MSM) except in individuals between 13 and 19 years of age, and the feminization phenomenon is more pronounced among adolescents.

METHODS

We evaluated data from Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) regarding cases of AIDS in patients aged between 13 and 19 years through November 2009.

RESULTS

This study includes 656 cases. The incidence of AIDS increased until 1998, and, since 1996, more cases have been diagnosed in girls than in boys. The homo/bisexual exposure category predominantly consisted of boys (50.8%), and the heterosexual category predominantly consisted of girls (88.9%). The geographic distribution of the cases by year of diagnosis revealed that the increase was proportionally larger in the poorest area and that there was a large decrease in the wealthiest area. A decreasing linear tendency was observed in the relationship between the year of diagnosis and the human development index (HDI).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the need for greater investment in sexual health and reproductive services in the poorest areas of the city and in the promotion of healthy sexual practices directed to MSM and female adolescents.