10th International AIDS Conference Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:398 (abstract no. PD0774)
Fernandes J, Pereira M, Vallinoto T, Fonseca A; ABIA/SES-RJ/SMS-RJ-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The present survey is part of the "Regionalized AIDS Control Programme" (RACP), that was created to deliver clinical assistance, counseling and testing to interested persons, as well as education and peer condom distribution in the slum communities of Rio de Janeiro. It was developed in the two target communities, and in two other control communities, at the beginning of the project, to access the knowledges, beliefs and attitudes of these populations, and to build a baseline profile of these items, before the intervention of the RACP.

METHODS: Cross-sectional survey, with a stratified one stage random sample of 300 persons in each slum (total sample size = 1200).

RESULTS: The level of knowledge about HIV transmission was very high, but there were also high levels of inaccurate information about transmission due to blood donation, lack of hygiene, garbage and mosquito bites. There were no statistical differences between the 4 slums in terms of condom use: nearby 23% of the sample used condoms, although only 10% used them regularly. The women were significantly less inclined to use condoms than men, even if only single sexually active persons were studied.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that more efforts in demystifying HIV infection are needed, as misunderstanding about transmission means of the HIV may lead to justifications of unsafe practices. Special attention must be developed concerning women, among whom the infection is spreading quickly.

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