ABSTRACT
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is a global, dynamic and unstable phenomenon, whose form of occurrence dependson the individual and collective human behavior, among other factors. Objective: to identify the social and behavioral differences related to the risk of HIV infection, prevalence of HIV and the rate between genders in users of the Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) of the city of Montes Claros, MinasGerais State. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study. The sample included 1,409 users' records (716 men, 693 women) from the CTA of Montes Claros,from December 2007 to March 2009. For organization and statistical analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0 was used and asignificance level of 5% (p < 0,05) was considered. Results: significant differences (p < 0.05) between genders were found, indicating a higher percentageof singles (65.3%), drug users (73.5%) and those who have had three or more sexual partners (41.9%) during the past year among men. Men used condomsmore regularly in fixed (20.1%) and eventual (44.4%) partners. HIV prevalence was of 2% and the rate between the genders was of 1:1. Conclusion: menwere engaged in more risk behaviors for HIV, but women were infected in the same proportion. Prevention programs must consider social and cultural components to structure gender inequalities.