HIV e Sífilis em Pessoas que Fazem Uso de Crack no Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

The high consumption of crack-cocaine in South America poses a significant public health challenge. Brazil presents an route for the trafficking of this drug. Individuals who use crack cocaine exhibit behaviors that may expose this population to numerous sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of syphilis and HIV infection, as well as coinfections, in this population. A cross-sectional approach was employed, involving people who used crack cocaine (PWUCC) between November 2015 and July 2018. Blood samples underwent serological tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HTLV infections, revealing an HIV exposure prevalence of 5.0% (95% CI: 3.6 - 6.9) and Treponema pallidum exposure of 21.14% (95% CI: 18.3 - 24.3), with 44.6% (95% CI: 2.31 - 5.07) having VDRL titers ≥ 1/8. Regarding associated factors, findings were related to the recruitment method of these individuals, a history of incarceration, low educational attainment, and coinfection with other STIs, resembling discoveries from other studies.