Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Community-Based Rapid HIV Testing in Brazil for Vulnerable Populations: Whom are We Reaching?

Abstract

Clarissa Habckost Dutra de Barros, Meritxell Sabidó, Tainah Dourado de Miranda Lobo, Roberta Pati Pascom, Elisiane Pasini, Fábio Caldas de Mesquita and Schwartz Benzaken

Objective: Rapid HIV testing and counselling in community settings delivered by trained peers can allow easier access to and uptake of HIV testing and care. The programme 'Live Better Knowing' offers rapid HIV testing to key populations across Brazil. This cross-sectional study aims at describing the HIV prevalence in population subgroups and at assessing the association of sex work (SW) and/or drug use with a positive HIV result. Methods: Between January 2013 and April 2016, key populations were invited for HIV rapid oral fluid tests (DPP HIV- 1/2 Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) by peers. HIV testing was offered in identified venues and areas where these populations socialize. Participants were interviewed using a brief questionnaire about their socio-demographic and risk behaviour. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effect of SW and/or drug use on the risk of HIV. Results: Among the 43,358 participants, 42.9% were ciswomen, 2.9% were transvestites, 2.7% were transgender, 19.8% were men who have sex with men (MSM) and 31.9% were heterosexual men. Overall, 52.1% were first-time HIV testers. The HIV prevalence among the ciswomen, transvestites, transgender people, MSM and heterosexual men was 0.9%, 7.2%, 4%, 3.4% and 1%, respectively. Individuals who performed SW and used drugs had the highest HIV prevalence within each population group (ciswomen 1.7%, transvestites 8.1%, transgender 7.4%, MSM 5.9% and heterosexual men 2.6%). The adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for selling sex combined with drug use were 2.90 (1.21-6.96) in ciswomen, 25.01 (2.67-234.57) in transgender people and 2.42 (1.31-4.48) in MSM. Conclusion: This outreach programme attracted persons with high risk practices who had never been tested. Our findings suggest that transvestites and transgender people (particularly those who sell sex) constitute a high risk population for HIV in urgent need of enhanced prevention, treatment and care services.