[Sociodemographic, epidemiological and behavioral profile of women infected with HTLV-1 in Salvador, Bahia, an endemic area for HTLV]. / Perfil sociodemográfico, epidemiológico e comportamental de mulheres infectadas pelo HTLV-1 em Salvador-Bahia, uma área endêmica para o HTLV.

The objective was to describe the sociodemographic, epidemiological and behavioral characteristics of women infected with HTLV-1 (64) and uninfected women (66) in Salvador, Bahia. The serological diagnosis was obtained via Elisa, Western Blot and Immunofluorescence. Epidemiological and sociodemographic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The chi-squared or Fisher test was used for categorical data and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis (3 groups) and the T-test or Mann-Whitney (2 groups) were used for continuous data. Associated variables were adjusted using logistic regression. More than half (57.8%) of the seropositive women were asymptomatic. The symptomatic women (with HAM/TSP) had fewer years of education. Comparison between seronegative and seropositive women showed that blood transfusion, anal sex practices, first sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years and three or more sexual partners over women's lifetime were risk factors for HTLV-1 infection. The prevention of both sexual transmission and vertical transmission (breastfeeding) should be reinforced. Prenatal screening is of paramount importance.

Perfil sociodemográfico, epidemiológico e comportamental de mulheres infectadas pelo HTLV-1 em Salvador-Bahia, uma área endêmica para o HTLV / Sociodemographic, epidemiological and behavioral profile of women infected with HTLV-1 in Salvador, Bahia, an endemic area for HTLV

O objetivo foi descrever as características sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas e comportamentais de mulheres infectadas (64) e não infectadas (66) pelo HTLV-1 em Salvador, Bahia. O diagnóstico sorológico foi obtido por ELISA, WB e Imunofluorescência. Dados epidemiológicos e sociodemográficos foram coletados utilizando questionário padronizado. O Qui-quadrado ou teste de Fisher foi usado para dados categóricos e ANOVA ou Kruskall Wallis (3 grupos) e teste T ou Mann Whitney (2 grupos) para os dados contínuos. As variáveis associadas foram ajustadas por regressão logística. Mais da metade (57,8 por cento) das mulheres soropositivas eram assintomáticas. As sintomáticas (com PET/MAH) tinham menor escolaridade. A comparação entre mulheres soropositivas e soronegativas mostrou que a hemotransfusão, a prática de sexo anal, coitarca antes dos 18 anos e ter mais de 3 parceiros sexuais na vida foram fatores de risco para infecção pelo HTLV-1. A prevenção da transmissão sexual e vertical (aleitamento materno) deve ser reforçada e triagem no pré-natal mandatória.

The objective was to describe the sociodemographic, epidemiological and behavioral characteristics of women infected with HTLV-1 (64) and uninfected women (66) in Salvador, Bahia. The serological diagnosis was obtained via Elisa, Western Blot and Immunofluorescence. Epidemiological and sociodemographic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The chi-squared or Fisher test was used for categorical data and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis (3 groups) and the T-test or Mann-Whitney (2 groups) were used for continuous data. Associated variables were adjusted using logistic regression. More than half (57.8 percent) of the seropositive women were asymptomatic. The symptomatic women (with HAM/TSP) had fewer years of education. Comparison between seronegative and seropositive women showed that blood transfusion, anal sex practices, first sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years and three or more sexual partners over womenÆs lifetime were risk factors for HTLV-1 infection. The prevention of both sexual transmission and vertical transmission (breastfeeding) should be reinforced. Prenatal screening is of paramount importance.