AEGiS-10IAC: High risk behavior during carnival in Brazil.

10th International AIDS Conference


Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

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High risk behavior during carnival in Brazil.

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:396 (abstract no. PD0764)
Hughes V, Stall R, Klouri C, Inglesi E, Taddei J, Hearst N; Sao Paulo State Health Scretariat.

OBJECTIVES: Carnival is the most important holiday in Brazil. The festivities are organized by Samba schools, in which large numbers of young adults participate, preparing songs, dances, and costumes. Carnival has a reputation for being a time of disinhibition when much high risk activity for HIV infection may occur. Our objective was to examine AIDS risk behavior during carnival by male Samba school participants.

METHODS: 410 male drummers (a major activity in Samba bands) were randomly sampled from all 10 major Samba schools in Sao Paulo during the rehearsal period for the 1993 Carnival. Trained professionals conducted a 20-minute interview about the previous Carnival. Only two eligible subjects refused participation. Samba school leadership cooperated enthusiastically with the study.

RESULTS: Levels of AIDS knowledge were high. 83% believed that Carnival is a time when ordinary rules can be forgotten and one's behavior will not be criticized. 32% agreed that there is "more sex; it's easier to get a woman." 55% used large amounts of alcohol during Carnival; 20% used cocaine. 60% reported unprotected sex during the last Carnival, even though two million free condoms had been distributed by the State. 52% of subjects had received the free condoms, but 54% of these did not use them. Levels of risk behavior were also high in the preceding month (not Carnival).

CONCLUSIONS: Many young men in Brazilian Samba schools are at potential risk for HIV infection despite having high levels of knowledge about AIDS. Samba schools would be good sites for AIDS prevention interventions that focus on motivation rather than information. Massive free distribution results in many wasted condoms and may not be the most efficient strategy where condoms are scarce.

Keywords: AEGIS, Risk-Taking, Condoms, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Schools, Safe Sex, Social Behavior, Emotions, Holidays, Brazil, Human, Female, Male, Adult, ICA10KWDaegis,risk-taking,condoms,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,schools,safesex,socialbehavior,emotions,holidays,brazil,human,female,male,adult,ica10
940807
PD0764

Copyright © 1994 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.