Abstract

MALVASI, Graciela Noemí et al. Encuesta social y de seroprevalencia de sífilis y HIV en adolescentes escolarizados en áreas vulnerables del Departamento Capital, Misiones, Argentina. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2022, vol.56, n.2, pp.161-170. ISSN 0325-2957.

A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was carried out in the municipalities of Posadas and Garupá with the aim of describing the social situation, knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the prevalence of Treponema pallidum and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adolescents enrolled in vulnerable areas of the Capital Department of Misiones (Argentina). A total of 1,336 surveys and 347 serological tests were carried out on adolescents from 19 primary and secondary schools, 64% (857) were from Posadas and 36% (479) from Garupá. The median age was 13 years. The affirmative answers about the information provided in reproductive health were 73% in Posadas and 49%; in Garupá; the area of information most frequently cited was schools (Posadas 92% and Garupá 76%). Most responded that their group of friends drank alcoholic beverages (Posadas 64% and Garupá 52%) and, less frequently, drugs (Posadas 21% and Garupá 17%). The correct answers about knowledge of STIs were higher than 82%. More than 80% resided in brick houses with installed bathrooms and 9% in overcrowded conditions. School adolescents with HIV infection were not identified, but one case with T. pallidum infection was detected (prevalence: 0.29%; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-1.62%). The study showed a very low prevalence of T. pallidum infection and zero prevalence for HIV in school-going adolescents residing in socially vulnerable areas. Family constitution and schooling could be protective factors for these infections.

Keywords : Surveys; Sexually transmitted diseases; HIV seroprevalence; Syphilis; Adolescents.

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