Factors associated with sexually transmitted infection/HIV diagnosis among a predominantly university population in Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, the increasing prevalence of HIV infection in young people makes it critical to know its distribution in university communities. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the impact of STI/HIV testing campaigns on university campuses from 2013 to 2017. The participants took part in rapid testing for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and counseling sessions. A total of 2691 people participated in the campaigns. Of these, 79.4% were single, and 50.3% were women. The median age was 24 years old, and 77.9% of participants had ≥12 years of formal education. Most reported having unprotected sex in the last year (87.4%). The positivity rates for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus were 0.56%, 1.20%, 0.19%, and 0.11%, respectively. The characteristics associated with HIV infection were being men who have sex with men (MSM) (aOR = 12.06; 95% CI = 3.83–37.99) and having <12 years of schooling (aOR = 3.28; 95% CI = 1.03–10.38). Factors associated with syphilis seropositivity were older age (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.03–1.09), multiple partners (aOR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.08–5.50), and being MSM (aOR = 5.40; 95% CI = 2.49–11.72). Positivity for hepatitis B tended to decrease with the years of testing ( p = 0.023) and for hepatitis C to increase with age ( p = 0.035). Our study observed a high vulnerability to HIV and syphilis infection in a university community, which needs an early prevention strategy, including regular testing, continuing sexual education, easy access to condoms, and pre- and postexposure HIV prophylaxis.