Human immunodeficiency virus infection in Guatemala
Mejia, C.; Samcam, M.E.; Rodas, A.; Navarro, A.; Quinonez, E.; Zaydee, F.; Arathoon, E.; De Villatoro, E.; Pezzarossi, H.; Ramirez
Revista del Colegio de Medicos y Cirujanos de Guatemala 2 Suppl: 9-13
1992
PMID: 12290626 Document Number: 325609
A prospective study of HIV seroprevalence was conducted in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango between January 30, 1990, and June 30, 1991, to furnish a realistic idea of the magnitude of seroprevalence in Guatemala. Subjects included 305 patients with proven tuberculosis (TB), 500 consecutive patients in an emergency room, 600 military recruits from different parts of Guatemala, 500 consecutive patients at a prenatal clinic, and 300 women receiving emergency room treatment for complications of abortion. Participation was anonymous and confidential. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 40 years. Seropositivity rates were 1% for the 305 TB patients, 1% for the 500 emergency room patients, 0.2% for the 600 military recruits, 0% for the 500 pregnant women, and 0.7% for the 300 postabortion patients. Seroprevalence was low, but the presence of risk factors suggests that it will increase in the future. Sexual activity begins at young ages. 71% of military recruits reported becoming sexually active by age 15. 45-80% of TB and emergency room patients and military recruits reported having more than one sexual partner at the time of the interview. Only 2-3% of women reported having more than one partner. Between 4% and 30.7% of the five groups reported a history of sexually transmitted diseases, of which one-third were ulcerative. 17% of TB patients and 2-3% in the other groups had received blood transfusions. Fewer than 20% in any group reported ever using condoms.