Age-related variation in sexual behaviours among heterosexual men residing in Brazil, Mexico and the USA

[Syphilis in young Brazilian military recruits in 2016: sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical aspects]

The objective was to characterize sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical aspects in young Brazilian military recruits according to prevalence of syphilis. This was a descriptive study based on a nationwide population-based survey in 2016 with a probabilistic sample of military recruits 17 to 22 years of age. A confidential self-applied questionnaire was used. Blood samples were drawn from participants for treponemal and non-treponemal syphilis tests. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to estimate syphilis prevalence rates and distribution of frequencies between the target variables, considering 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), after weighting the data. Of the total of 37,282 participants, 73.7% were sexually initiated. Prevalence rates for lifetime and confirmed syphilis were 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively. The following population variables showed higher prevalence of syphilis: lack of Internet access at home; initiation of sexual activity before 14 years of age; men who have sex with men; more than five sexual partners; having received presents, drugs, or other incentives in exchange for sex; and prior history of symptoms of sexually transmissible infections. An increase was observed in syphilis in Brazilian military recruits when compared to previous surveys. This increase emphasizes the importance of this sentinel population for performing active surveillance in order to support healthcare strategies for youth, including in the school system.

Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in sugarcane cutters: subsidies to caring for

OBJECTIVE

to estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and associated factors in sugarcane cutters.

METHOD

a cross-sectional, analytical study with 937 sugarcane cutters from Paraíba and Goiás, states of Brazil, respectively. An outcome variable was the positive results in some rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. Bivariate and multiple analyses were performed to identify the association between these infections and sociodemographic and behavioral variables.

RESULTS

all participants were male, most were young adults and had low schooling. Prevalence of STI was estimated at 4.1% (95% CI: 3.0-5.5). According to multiple regression analysis, the variables age over 40 years (OR 5.0; CI 95%: 1.8-14), alcohol consumption (OR 3.9; CI 95%: 1.3-11.9), and illicit drugs (OR 2.9; CI 95%: 1.3-6.3) were factors associated with the STIs investigated. On the other hand, having some religion (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.8), and work in the Midwest Region (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.9) were factors negatively associated with these infections.

CONCLUSION

presence of risk behaviors for STI among sugarcane cutters. Screening for these infections in groups of rural workers is essential for early diagnosis and breaking the chain of transmission.