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Background: The HIV-Brazil Cohort Study (HIV-BCS) is a research primarily based on data collection from medical records of people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil. The aim of this study was to present the validating design and results for the laboratory biomarkers viral load and CD4+ T-cell count from the HIV-Brazil Cohort Study.Methods: A total of 8007 patients who were started cART from 2003 to 2013 were considered eligible for this study. Total follow-up time was 32,397 years. The median duration of follow-up was 3.51 years (interquartile range - IQR 1.63-6.13 years; maximum 11.51 years). We used secondary data from the Brazilian Laboratory Tests Control System (SISCEL). Incidence of lab testing rates per 100 person years (100 py) were used to compare the number of laboratory tests carried out among cohort sites considering different databases for CD4+ T-cell counts and HIV viral load assessments. Descriptive statistics including 95% confidence interval, Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman agreement analysis and kappa coefficient agreement were applied for analysis.Results: A total of 80,302 CD4+ T-cell counts and 79,997 HIV viral load assessments were observed in HIV-BCS versus 94,083 CD4+ T-cell counts and 84,810 viral loads from the Brazilian Laboratory Tests Control System. The general CD4+ T-cell HIV-BCS testing rate was 247 per 100 py versus 290 per 100 py and the viral load HIV-BCS testing rate was 246 per 100 py versus 261 per 100 py. The general correlation observed for the lowest quantitative CD4+ T-cell count before cART was 0.970 (p < 0.001) and for the log of the highest viral load before cART was 0.971 (p < 0.001). The general agreement coefficient for categorized CD4+ T-cell count was 0.932 (p < 0.001) and for viral load was 0.996 (p < 0.001).Conclusions: The current study confirms that biomarkers CD4+ T-cell count and viral load from the HIV-BCS have a high correlation and agreement with data from SISCEL, rendering both databases reliable and useful for epidemiological studies on HIV care in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the reemergence of AIDS epidemic in Brazil. Topics discussed include the mortality trend for the disease, the network of care implemented for people infected with the disease based on the principles of integrality and interdisciplinary, and the emergence of new and effective preventive methods for the disease.

This study aimed to analyze the challenges in demand creation for participation in an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) project in two Brazilian capitals. This qualitative study was conducted with men who have sex with men and transgender women aged 15 to 19 years who lived in two Brazilian state capitals. For this analysis, 27 semi-structured interviews carried out from 2019 to 2020 were evaluated by reflexive thematic content analysis. For participants, PrEP demand creation was essential for their interaction, mediation, bonding, and attachment and proved effective for PrEP acceptability and adherence. Adolescents' narratives showed that the strategies promoted HIV combination prevention, opened up opportunities for recruitment meetings, helped to negotiate with and convince individuals to use PrEP, strengthened peer education, and evoked a feeling of "being with" and "walking together" despite the challenges. Face-to-face or online interactions using social technologies played a crucial role in recruiting adolescents for the project, expanding knowledge on PrEP and other combination prevention strategies and access to health services and self-care.

We aimed to understand the perspective and use of HIV prevention methods in context of the sexual practices of adolescent gay and bisexual men, travestis, and transgender women (TGW). In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 22 adolescent gay and bisexual men, travestis, and TGW aged between 15 and 19 years in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of the formative research of the PrEP1519 study, an ongoing daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration study among adolescents. Participants' knowledge repertoire about prevention methods and their experience with them concentrated on condoms, which were regarded as the most well-known, "compulsory" practice, whose use was an individual responsibility. Prior HIV/STI testing was reported by a few participants as a measure to decide to discontinue condom use in stable relationships, whereas seeking testing after condomless sex was an attempt to repair a "failure" in prevention. The importance of commercial sex was striking among TGW and travestis, in which condom use often depended on clients' decision, and drug use and risk of violence hindered decision-making and self-care. Adolescents showed little knowledge, frequent confusion, and no experience with post-exposure prophylaxis and PrEP. An incipient appropriation of the diversity of prevention methods and a rigid normativity about the use of condoms are key drivers in adolescents' perception and use of HIV prevention methods. Adolescents' risk management seems to be restricted in terms of their autonomy and ability to assess exposure across contexts, failing to include antiretroviral-based (ARV) methods, thus requiring tailored and context-sensitive strategies for an effective combination prevention approach.

In the current context of the HIV epidemic, multiple prevention strategies including biomedical interventions have been presented as alternatives for vulnerable groups. This study investigated homosexuals' and bisexuals' perceptions of the risk of HIV infection and their experiences of using HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). We conducted a qualitative study with 25 men who have sex with men (MSM) in five Brazilian cities using semi-structured interviews. The results showed that the use of condoms was the main HIV prevention strategy employed by the respondents. In addition, condom failure, inconsistent condom use and intentional non-use are the main prompters of risk perception and the consequent decision to seek PEP. The respondent's perceptions and meanings of the use of PEP were mediated by prior knowledge of PEP. This work broadens the debate on the more subjective aspects of HIV prevention among MSM, especially those related to risk perception and the decision to use PEP in the context of combined prevention.

The fact of having a usual source of care can improve access to health services and preventive activities. The article aimed to estimate the proportion of factors associated with usual source of care among female sex workers. This was a socio-behavioral survey with 4,328 female sex workers, ≥ 18 years, in 12 Brazilian cities. Female sex workers were recruited by the respondent-driven sampling method (RDS). A descriptive profile was performed of the female sex workers who had usual source of care and the association was analyzed between usual source of care and indicators of access to HIV prevention and reproductive health. As effect measure, the study used adjusted odds ratio (OR) in a logistic regression model. The data were weighted by the RDS-II estimator. 71.5% of the female sex workers reported having a usual source of care, and of these, 54.3% cited primary healthcare (PHC) as their main usual source of care. Among female sex workers 18-24 years of age, there was an association between usual source of care and having a Pap smear test (OR = 2.27; 95%CI: 1.66-3.12), seven or more prenatal visits (OR = 2.56; 95%CI: 1.30-5.03), and the use of a contraceptive method (OR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.09-2.46). Among female sex workers ≥ 25 years, there was an association between usual source of care and attending talks on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (OR = 1.45; 95%CI: 1.12-1.89), prior knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis (OR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.02-1.71), and history of Pap smear test (OR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.54-2.40). The study's results showed that female sex workers have PHC as their main usual source of care. usual source of care can also positively impact care and activities in reproductive health and prevention of HIV and STIs in this population group.

This study seeks to identify challenges in the implementation of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, based on an analysis of actions taken by healthcare professionals in the state-run health sector in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Based on a qualitative approach that included ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews, we found that contextual, institutional, and individual factors represented challenges to the implementation of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Barriers to implementation included the historical context structuring healthcare services and practices, the lack of training and/or continued education in health, and certain attitudes on the part of healthcare professionals (ideas regarding both the strategy itself as well as the individuals that seek PEP). We conclude that there is a need for greater attention to specialized services for STI/HIV/AIDS as well as the professionals that provide these services, in order to guarantee greater effective access to this strategy at the local level.

Hegemonic masculinity has distanced heterosexually active men from the responses to the HIV epidemic. However, with the combined prevention paradigm, post-exposure prophylaxis offers new ways to manage the risks of HIV infection, while at the same time bringing about new challenges. The aim of this paper is to discuss - through the lens of gender and masculinities - how heterosexually active men perceive their HIV risk and how they manage prevention methods and strategies, including post-exposure prophylaxis. Employing qualitative methods, 16 heterosexually active men in five health services from different Brazilian cities were interviewed. The analysis indicates that condom use - the main prevention method - was conditioned by subjective and contextual factors, and its failure stands out as the primary reason for seeking out post-exposure prophylaxis. We argue that ideals of hegemonic masculinity permeate perceptions and risk management discourses in the current context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been considered a promising strategy for controlling the global HIV epidemic. However, it is necessary to translate the knowledge accumulated from clinical trials and demosntration studies to the reality of health services and the groups most vulnerable to infection in order to achieve broad coverage with PrEP. The article proposes a reflection on this challenge, focusing on three dimensions: users of prophylaxis, with an emphasis on the contexts of sexual practices and the potential exposures to HIV; the advantages of prophylaxis as compared to other methods and the challenges for protective and safe use; and health services, considering the organizational principles to ensure greater success in the supply and incorporation of PrEP as part of combination prevention strategies. The following principles were analyzed: uniqueness of care, freedom of choice and non-hierarchization of prevention methods, sexual risk management, scheduling flexibility, and complementary and multidisciplinary care. These principles can foster organization of the health service and care, facilitating linkage and retention in care. Some comments were offered on the relative incompatibility between the existing structure of services and the Brazilian Ministry of Health guidelines for offering PrEP. The conclusion was that the success of PrEP as a public health policy depends on two essential factors: ensuring that health services are culturally diverse settings, free of discrimination, and the intensification of community-based interventions, including social networks, in order to reduce inequalities in access to PrEP and health services as a whole.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and vulnerability of homeless people to HIV infection., Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,405 homeless users of shelters in the city of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, from 2006 to 2007. They were all tested for HIV and a structured questionnaire was applied. Their vulnerability to HIV was determined by the frequency of condom use: those who reported using condoms only occasionally or never were considered the most vulnerable. Multinomial and logistic regression models were used to estimate effect measures and 95% confidence intervals., Results: There was a predominance of males (85.6%), with a mean age of 40.9 years, 72.0% had complete elementary schooling, and 71.5% were non-white. Of all respondents, 15.7% reported being homosexual or bisexual and 62,0% reported having casual sex. The mean number of sexual partners in the last 12 months was 5.4. More than half (55.7%) of the respondents reported lifetime drug use, while 25.7% reported frequent use. Sexually-transmitted disease was reported by 39.6% of the homeless and 38.3% reported always using condoms. The prevalence of HIV infection was 4.9% (17.4% also tested positive for syphilis) and about half of the respondents (55.4%) had access to prevention programs. Higher HIV prevalence was associated with younger age (18-29 years, OR = 4.0 [95%CI 1.54;10.46]); past history of sexually-transmitted disease (OR = 3.3 [95%CI 1.87;5.73]); homosexual sex (OR = 3.0 [95%CI 1.28;6.92]); and syphilis (OR = 2.4 [95%CI 1.13;4.93]). Increased vulnerability to HIV infection was associated with being female; young; homosexual sex; having few partners or a steady partner; drug and alcohol use; not having access to prevention programs and social support., Conclusions: The HIV epidemic has a major impact on homeless people reflecting a cycle of exclusion, social vulnerability, and limited access to prevention.

The aim of this study was to identify different profiles in the AIDS epidemic in Brazil by relating them to the health sector's organization, situations involving increased risk of infection, and the degree of implementation of the response by health services. The Brazilian municipalities (counties) were grouped according to the magnitude of the epidemic and its trends from 2002 and 2006, and were then studied using indicators obtained from secondary databases. Municipalities with large epidemics (39%) displayed more situations associated with risk of infection, and those with an upward trend in incidence (11.5%) showed a lower degree of response. Cities with large epidemics but with downward or stable trends had 68.6% of all the anonymous testing centers and 75.8% of the outpatient clinics, and performed 81.4% of all the HIV antibody tests in the health system. Preventive measures in schools and primary health services showed low coverage rates. Differences were observed between geographic regions. Inequalities in the degree of implementation of the response to HIV may contribute to different profiles in the epidemic around the country.

Objective: Analysis of the professional profile of physicians who prescribe antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to HIV infected persons in the State of São Paulo., Methods: Databases from different sources, namely Ministry of Health, São Paulo State Regional Medical Council, National Commission on Medical Residency and the Lattes platform, were consulted. Data concerning socio-demographic characteristics, academic and professional background and experience for the period from October 2007 to May 2009 were analyzed., Results: The regular ARV prescription for 74 thousand patients was issued by 1,609 physicians whose characteristics are: evenly distributed according to gender, aged between 30 to 49 years, live in the metropolitan area of Greater São Paulo, graduated 16.1 years ago on the average, come from 93 different Brazilian medical schools, hold a specialty diploma in 67.5% of cases, most of them in the field of Infectious Diseases (38.9%). The mean number of patients per physician was 10, though 51.6% of physicians prescribed for 20 or more patients. Of these physicians 62% reported specific knowledge or experience with HIV care, although 2.7% of all prescriptions were issued by physicians without this specific qualification. Regions of high AIDS incidence showed a smaller number of prescribing physicians. The cities of Registro and Ribeirão Preto showed the highest concentration of physicians lacking proper credentials., Conclusion: The absolute majority of HIV patients receives their prescriptions from duly trained and experienced physicians. Nevertheless, the large number of non-qualified physicians together with the reduced number of physicians in HIV high incidence regions make up the major challenge for comprehensive and adequate care of HIV patients.

Objective: To analyze different patterns of occurrence of AIDS in Brazilian cities between 2002 and 2006, associating trend and magnitude with socio-demographic indicators and local characteristics of the epidemic., Methods: This was an ecological study that categorized cities according to magnitude and trend of the epidemic and subsequently analyzed, considering social indicators, types of HIV transmission and year of first case reported. Data came from the Brazilian Epidemiological Surveillance System, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the United Nations Development Program for Brazil. Linear regression was used to estimate trend and chi-square statistics and ANOVA to analyze indicators., Results: A total of 4,190 cities (75.3%) reported AIDS cases between 2002 and 2006. Of these, 3,403 (81.2%) had an occurrence of "small magnitude" (mean=4.7 cases), 367 (8.8%) of "average magnitude" (mean=30.3 cases) and 420 (10.0%) of "great magnitude" (mean=378.7 cases). Cases of "small magnitude" were associated with lower incidence; beginning of the epidemic after 1991; presence of one or two types of transmission; especially heterosexual contact; with occurrences of cases in one or two years of the period; and lower human development index (HDI). Those of a "great magnitude" were associated with larger cities and higher HDI; presence of all types of transmission; beginning of the epidemic between 1980/1991; and trend towards reduction/stabilization, especially due to a decrease in transmission among injecting drug users. Growth of the epidemic was concentrated in "small magnitude" cities, although without significance to the point of changing proportional participation (8.7%) of these cities in the group of cases in Brazil., Conclusions: The AIDS epidemic remains concentrated in urban centers and the spread of cases to the countryside is characterized by irregular occurrence and small magnitude. Cities with low HDI and exclusive transmission through heterosexual contact showed low capacity of increase and the reduction of the epidemic is especially associated with the decrease in transmission among injecting drug users.

This paper briefly outlines how the political scenario and the mobilization of different actors have contributed to the construction of a public health policy in response to the AIDS epidemics in Brazil. Three factors are presented and discussed: the political context of the 1980s, characterized by redemocratization, growth of social movements, and consolidation of the Brazilian health care reform; the socio-cultural context of the 1970s and 1980s, characterized by achievement of individual freedom, which was key to the organization of the AIDS movement; and finally the actions carried out in the international scenario to support the sustainability of the Brazilian domestic policy and the reinforcement of a global response to face the epidemics in lower-middle income economies.

Objective: To characterize and analyze technological profiles of voluntary HIV counseling and testing centers in Brazil., Methods: A structured self-completion questionnaire with 78 questions was used. This questionnaire was answered by 320 (83.6%) of the 383 Brazilian centers, in 2006. Responses that characterized the services' technological profile were analyzed using K-means clustering technique. Associations between the profiles described and the municipal contexts were analyzed using the chi-square and residue analysis for proportions, and ANOVA and Bonferroni for means., Results: Centers showed significant deficiencies to guarantee adequate services. A total of four technological profiles were identified. The 'care' profile (21.6%) predominated among the services instituted before 1993, in areas with high AIDS incidence and in large cities. The 'prevention' profile (30.0%), prevalent between 1994 and 1998, was the type that best complies with the Ministry of Health's norms, with better readiness and productivity indicators. The 'care and prevention' profile (26.9%), included in the AIDS services, predominated between 1999 and 2002, and developed the most comprehensive set of activities, including STD treatment. The 'testing' profile (21.6%) was the most precarious, found where the epidemic is most recent and with a lower number of people tested., Conclusions: Counseling and testing centers constitute a set of heterogeneous services. In addition, service implementation guidelines have not been completely incorporated in Brazil, thus having and influence on low resolution and productivity indicators and also the inadequate development of prevention activities.