Syphilis Testing Among Female Prisoners in Brazil: Results of a National Cross-sectional Survey. (3rd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santana, Rosane da Silva; Kerr, Ligia; Mota, Rosa Maria Salani; Kendall, Carl; Justa Neto, Roberto da; Macena, Hermelinda Maia; Seal, David; Sousa, Alvaro Francisco Lopes; McFarland, Willi
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Volume 32:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 150
• Publication Date: 2021-03-03
• Subjects: Brazil -- female -- prisoners -- syphilis diagnosis; AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Nursing -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.97920231
• DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-3290

Abstract

Abstract: Brazil has the third largest prison population in the world and is also experiencing a high and rising rate of syphilis infection. To establish the gaps in syphilis testing, we examined data from a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Brazil. Data originated from a cross-sectional survey designed to represent all regions of Brazil ( N = 1, 327). Data were collected by Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview, including variables in several blocks or domains. 49.2% had a lifetime history of being tested for syphilis. Increased likelihood of syphilis testing was significantly associated with completed elementary education (odds ratio ajustado [AOR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.40), completed high school or more (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.36–3.06), income below minimum wage (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.10–1.94), homelessness (AOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.21–2.76), having heard of the female condom (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.25–2.95), received a condom in prison (AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.11–2.21) or in public health services (AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.13–1.98), lifetime history of pregnancy (AOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.67–3.89), had a gynecological examination (AOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.05–2.83), and perceived they had some chance (AOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.17–2.20) or a big chance (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.31–2.73) that they were likely to have been infected with HIV before entering prison.