ABSTRACT
Objective:To determine HIV presence and risk behaviors ofpersons of low socio-economic status in the city of Popayan-Colombia.Methods:Cross-sectional study; between 2008 and 2009, 363participants of Popayan signed informed consent and receivedpre and post HIV test counseling. Socio-demographic charac-teristics and history of STDs, risk behaviors and previous HIVtesting were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlations andmultivariate logistic regression were calculatedResults:Mean age 33,5±10,2; 66 percentwomen. Frequency of HIV-positive patients was 3.86 percent (95 percentCI: 1.87-5.85), greater inmen (7.38 percent; p=0,013). Greater frequency of HIV-positive pa-tients was observed in people age 29-37, those without a stablepartner, and those with history of risky alcohol consumption(more than five drinks in 2 hours) .Conclusions:HIV-positive patients frequency in this popu-lation was greater than national estimate for general popula-tion, aged 15-49 in Colombia, with even greater frequency inmen. This study suggests that characteristics associated withlow socioeconomic status, in economically active population,without a stable partner and with risky alcohol use, can poten-tially increase risk of HIV infection.