[AIDS in children: the influence of socioeconomic differences in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil]

Spatial analysis of HIV detection rates among Brazilian young men, 2007-2021

The main goal of this study was to spatially analyze the HIV epidemic scenario in young men in Brazil, 2007-2021. We used secondary data obtained from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Individuals aged 15-29 years with permanent residence in Brazil who were diagnosed with HIV during the study period were included in the analysis. Municipality HIV age-adjusted detection rates were analyzed through spatial distribution, autocorrelation, and spatiotemporal risk analyses. During the study period, 108,392 HIV cases were reported in young Brazilian men. The HIV epidemic increased territorially in the northern, northeastern, midwestern, and southeastern regions but decreased in the southern region. Although the number of clusters comprising municipalities with high HIV detection rates (hotspots) decreased, new ones appeared, expanded, or stopped changing size. Hotspots and spatio-temporal risk zones (spatial areas with increased HIV detection in a specific period) comprised economically developed municipalities with high demographic density surrounded by less developed municipalities. The period of the spatiotemporal risk zones was between 2008 and 2021. Our study showed that HIV detection rates continue to increase among young Brazilian men, and health authorities should reinforce efforts mainly in capitals and surrounded municipalities in the north, northeast, southeast, and midwest regions.

Hierarchical analysis of determinants of HIV vertical transmission: a case-control study

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the association of socioeconomic, obstetric, pediatric and prophylactic factors to the vertical transmission of HIV in children followed at a reference service in Recife between 2010 and 2015. Methods: case-control nested the cohort of children exposed to vertical transmission of HIV. A univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the association of socioeconomic, obstetric, pediatric and prophylactic measures with the outcome. We considered two multivariate approaches, conventional and hierarchical, the latter made it possible to consider different levels of determination. Results: 46.5% of the mothers had low schooling, 69.6% without work-related wages and 35.7% received a family grant. Women with postpartum diagnosis and less than 6 prenatal appointments had a greater chance of vertical transmission. Prophylactic measures were statistically associated with prevention of transmission (p<0.1%). Conclusions: vertical risk factors for HIV transmission were identified: no sewage system, at least six prenatal consultations, first care of the child with more than two months and no prophylaxis in pregnancy and childbirth. Determining factors for which specific policies and programs exist and their non-access social determination evidence of HIV vertical transmission.

Area deprivation measures used in Brazil: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To describe and assess currently used area-based measures of deprivation in Brazil for health research, to the purpose of informing the development of a future small area deprivation index.

METHODS

We searched five electronic databases and seven websites of Brazilian research institutions and governmental agencies. Inclusion criteria were: studies proposing measures of deprivation for small areas (i.e., finer geography than country-level) in Brazil, published in English, Portuguese or Spanish. After data-extraction, results were tabulated according to the area level the deprivation measure was created for and to the dimensions of deprivation or poverty included in the measures. A narrative synthesis approach was used to summarize the measures available, highlighting their utility for public health research.

RESULTS

A total of 7,199 records were retrieved, 126 full-text articles were assessed after inclusion criteria and a final list of 30 articles was selected. No small-area deprivation measures that have been applied to the whole of Brazil were found. Existing measures were mainly used to study infectious and parasitic diseases. Few studies used the measures to assess inequalities in mortality and no studies used the deprivation measure to evaluate the impact of social programs.

CONCLUSIONS

No up-to-date small area-based deprivation measure in Brazil covers the whole country. There is a need to develop such an index for Brazil to measure and monitor inequalities in health and mortality, particularly to assess progress in Brazil against the Sustainable Development Goal targets for different health outcomes, showing progress by socioeconomic groups.