Prevalence of HIV infection and sexual practices in a group of family planning female users in Yucatan, Mexico.
Vera-Gamboa, Ligia *,1, Gongora-Biachi, Renán A1, Pavia-Ruz, Norma1, Flota-lara, Manuel2, Lara-Perera, Dora1, Alonzo-Salomon, Ligia1, 1 Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi., Merida, Yucatan, Mexico2 Servicios de salud de Yucatán. Centro Materno-Infantil, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
ABSTRACT- Introduction.- In Yucatan, Mexico, the sexual route is the main mechanism of HIV transmission, and women constitute a group of AIDS cases with a slow but continuous growth. Nevertheless, neither their type of sexual practices nor their knowledge about AIDS are known. Objective.- To know the sexual practices and knowledge about AIDS in a group of family planning female users in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Method.- A descriptive study was carried out from November 2004 to February 2005. A socio-epidemiologic survey (sociodemographic characteristics, sexual practices and knowledge about AIDS) was fulfilled in one hundred women. Aditionally, an antibody against HIV (Ab-HIV) test was performed in willing participants of this group. Results.- The mean age of respondents was 25 years (range 18-44). Most of the women were housewives and 82% of these women had a stable partner. The mean number of sexual partners was one. Only 12% used inconsistently the condom as a family planning method. 20% of them presented tattoos, and 10% had been users of non injectable drugs. Also, 10% of them has had previous STD and 11% mentioned cervical ulcer. Sexual practices: 18% of them had intercourse during menstruation, 28% practiced anal sex and 46% oral sex. About knowledge of AIDS only 21% of women had enough knowledge and 36% had known three preventive measures (sexual abstinence, fidelity and use of condom). The prevalence of Ab-HIV was null. Conclusion.- Although none of the women were positive to HIV test, risk factors to HIV infection were found. Due to this, the development of preventive and gender perspective-based programmes for the HIV/AIDS for the female population of Yucatan, Mexico are urgently needed.
Key words: HIV prevalence, Family planning female users, sexual practices, knowledge about HIV