Epidemiological characterization of HIV/AIDS in adolescents who live in a municipality from southern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To characterize epidemiological profile of HIV/AIDS cases in adolescents. Method: Cross-sectional study, conducted from 2007 to 2019 with adolescents living in a municipality from southern Brazil, resorting to secondary data from the National System of Information about Notifiable Diseases. Demographic variables, that is, transmission characteristics, opportunistic infections and case evolution, were verified through descriptive analysis and frequency measures. Results: A total of 84 cases were reported, with predominance of the age group between 17 and 19 years old (92.8%), complete/incomplete high school (50.0%), male gender (73.8%), and white race (69.0%). Regarding HIV exposure, 75.0% were men with declared homoaffective relationships. Incidence by quadrennium periods was as follows: 14 cases, 26 cases and 41 cases, with 3 cases in 2019. The mortality rate was 0.35/100,000 inhabitants. Of the diagnoses, 67.9% were confirmed by rapid test and 39.3% by laboratory tests. 42.9% had AIDS at diagnosis. The most prevalent clinical signs were cachexia (10.7%), asthenia (8.3%) and persistent cough (7.1%). The most frequent opportunistic infections were oral candidiasis (6.7%), lymphadenopathy (4.4%) and changes in the central nervous system (4.4%). Conclusion: The adolescents' vulnerability and the need to intensify public policies for prevention and early diagnosis in this age group are evidenced.