Profile of adolescents and young adults with HIV/AIDS in the northeast region of Brazil between 2004 and 2016

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of HIV/AIDS in adolescents and young adults between 2004 and 2016 in the nine states of the Brazilian Northeast region. METHODS: This is a time series study, with data available in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) between January 2004 and July 2016. RESULTS: During the period, a total of 6,981 new cases were reported in the region. The majority were aged between 21 and 24 years (70.90%); male (60.74%); brown race (65.17%); heterosexual behavior (53.56%); with the highest concentration of cases in the state of Pernambuco (23.53%). From 2004 to 2008, there was an increase in the total number of cases, falling in 2009, increasing again from 2010 onwards, reaching its peak in 2013 (945 new cases), decreasing again from 2014 onwards. The highest incidence rates were observed in groups with lower levels of education. CONCLUSION: AIDS in adolescents has shown an increasing trend in the last decade, with a higher incidence among heterosexual men, aged between 21 and 24 years, which justifies the creation of specific prevention campaigns for the adolescent and young adult population, aiming to combat the disease.