TY - JOUR T1 - Street youths are the only high-risk group for HIV in a low-prevalence South American country. JF - Sex Transm Dis Y1 - 2005 A1 - Marie-Laurence Lambert A1 - Torrico, Faustino A1 - Billot, Claire A1 - Deogratias Mazina A1 - Marleen Boelaert A1 - Van der Stuyft, Patrick KW - ADOLESCENT KW - Adolescent Health Services KW - Bolivia KW - Child KW - Female KW - HIV Infections KW - Homeless Youth KW - Humans KW - Male KW - prevalence KW - Risk Factors KW - Sex Work AB -

OBJECTIVES: To measure HIV prevalence in various subpopulations in Bolivia.

DESIGN: In 2002 in Cochabamba, we offered voluntary counseling and testing to homeless street youths, registered and unregistered commercial sex workers, truck drivers, and prisoners. We examined surveillance data of pregnant women and blood donors.

RESULTS: Among street youths over 15, overall HIV prevalence was 3.5% (11/313), higher among those recruited in the street, lower among those recruited in centers for homeless; prevalence was 0.6% (2/334) and 0.5% (1/189) in female registered and nonregistered sex workers, respectively, and below 0.3% in all other groups. All HIV cases were attributed to sexual transmission.

CONCLUSION: In a low-prevalence setting where intravenous drug use is uncommon, street youths are a threat for the expansion of the HIV epidemic. We argue that HIV prevention in this population requires a comprehensive approach to their health and social problems.

VL - 32 CP - 4 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15788923?dopt=Abstract ER -