ABSTRACT
Objective:
To estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in immigrants and refugees living in the metropolitan region of Goiânia, Goiás.
Method:
This is a cross-sectional and analytical study. Data collection was carried out from July 2019 to January 2020 and 308 immigrants and refugees were included in the sample. All were underwent face-to-face interviews and were tested for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B, using rapid tests.
Results:
The general prevalence for any of the STIs investigated was 8.8% (95%CI 6.0% – 12.3%), being 5.8% (95%CI 3.6% – 8.9%) for Hepatitis B, 2.3% for Syphilis (95%CI 1.00% – 4.4%) and 0.7% for HIV (95%CI 0.1% – 2.1%). Multiple analysis, using logistic regression, showed that the variables male gender (OR = 2.7) and length of time living in Brazil (OR = 2.6) were significantly associated with STIs (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that STIs are a health problem in immigrants/refugees, which appear to be enhanced with the length of migration in the country. Public policies that guarantee health care for this population shall be considered.
DESCRIPTORES
Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Emigration and Immigration; Refugees