Relações sexuais desprotegidas entre usuários de crack no Estado de Pernambuco

Abstract

Introduction: High prevalence of HIV and unprotected sex have often been observed among drug users, even in non-injectable forms, such as crack, therefore, being considered one of the practices related to the dissemination of HIV in Brazil. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of unprotected sex and its associated factors, among sex, in the crack users of the Pernambuco State. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study from a sample of crack users assisted by ATTITUDE Program in Pernambuco, carried out between 2014 and 2015. Were considered as crack users those individuals who meet the criteria of the Pan American Health Organization for drug users with high risk of to transmit HIV. To verify differences according to sex we used the chi-squared test. The effect of the factors studied over unprotected sex was estimated by simple regression model and the variables with p <0.20 were selected for multivariate analysis, being considered the significance level of 5%. Results: Were analyzed 1,062 cases, being 819 (77.1%) male and 243 (22.9%) female. The highest percentage were between 25 and 34 years (46%), single (80.2%), skin color brown (65.1%), and living on the streets (56.9%).Inconsistent condom use among men (74.7%) was associated with is drug effect; no condom use at first intercourse; self-perceived of greater chance of becoming infected by HIV; have a steady partner; and not have access to condoms. Inconsistent condom use among women (77.8%) with no condom use at first intercourse; self-perception of greater chance of becoming infected with HIV; High school; no religion and be married. Conclusion: Different factors associated with inconsistent condom use among men and women crack users, emphasize the need for specific STD prevention strategies among sexes.