Systematic review of HIV prevalence studies among key populations in Latin America and the Caribbean / Revisión sistemática de estudios de prevalencia del VIH en poblaciones clave de mayor riesgo en América Latina y el Caribe

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to synthesize articles, abstracts and reports of HIV prevalence studies conducted among men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors searched online databases and collected gray literature on HIV prevalence among MSM and FSW from LAC. Year, location, sampling methodology, study design, sample size, HIV prevalence and confidence intervals were abstracted. RESULTS: A total of 73 studies, dating from 1986 to 2010 were included.The median prevalences for MSM and FSW were 10.6% (interquartile range: 7.4- 17.4) and 2.6% (IQR: 0.6 -4.2), respectively. Variability was high, especially for MSM. The majority of studies recruited participants using convenience methods. CONCLUSION: HIV prevalence among MSM was higher than that among FSW. Sampling techniques should be standardized for future studies, prioritizing probability methods.

OBJETIVO: Esta revisión sistemática tiene el objetivo de sintetizar artículos, resúmenes y reportes de estudios de prevalencia de VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) y mujeres trabajadoras sexuales (MTS) en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizaron búsquedas en bases de datos electrónicas y se recopiló literatura gris sobre la prevalencia de VIH en HSH y MTS de América Latina y el Caribe. Los datos recolectados fueron año, lugar, metodología de muestreo, diseño del estudio, tamaño muestral, prevalencia de VIH e intervalos de confianza. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó un total de 73 estudios, realizados de 1986 a 2010. La mediana de la prevalencia para HSH y MTS fue 10.6% (rango intercuartil: 7.4- 17.4) y 2.6% (RIC: 0.6-4.2), respectivamente. La variabilidad de las prevalencias estimadas fue alta, especialmente para HSH. La mayoría de estudios usaron muestras por conveniencia. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de VIH entre HSH es superior a MTS. Los métodos muestrales deben ser estandarizados para estudios futuros, priorizando métodos probabilísticos.

A syphilis co-infection study in human papilloma virus patients attended in the sexually transmitted infection ambulatory clinic, Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Despite the prevalence of syphilis worldwide, little is known about its manifestations when associated with other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), specifically the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Current epidemiological studies show that there is a high incidence of both diseases in ambulatory clinics all over Brazil. This study aims to estimate the incidence of syphilis - HPV co-infections, among patients from the STI ambulatory clinic at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two-hundred and seven patients were seen in the clinic between March and December 2005, of which 113 (54.6 percent) sought care for an HPV infection. Blood samples were taken from all patients to check syphilis serology using the flocculation and the non-treponemic test or VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) and the TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay) treponemic and confirmatory method. Of the 207 patients, 113 (54.6 percent) consulted referring to HPV as their primary complaint, and of these, 18 (15.9 percent) also presented with positive syphilis serology, demonstrating a high incidence of coinfection. The average age of the patients varied between 20 and 25 years, 203 (98.1 percent) were male and 4 (1.9 percent) were female. The predominance of the male sex in this sample confirms the profile usually treated in STI clinics across the country, and the age range is that of typically high sexually activity. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the need for a differentiated examination of all STD patients.