Increasing access and the use of qualified prevention, assistance and treatment services for HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) by groups at higher risk and people who live with the disease is the purpose of the research by the Vice-presidency for Institutional Management and Development of Fiocruz (VPGDI/Fiocruz), supported by Fiotec. The project “Implementation of Surveillance, Prevention and Control Actions for AIDS and other STD” aims at strengthening actions, including the carrying out of specific studies and research for a vulnerable population and the development of strategies that enhance the quality of prevention of these diseases.

The scope of this project is national, and it is focused on: knowledge, attitudes and practices of the groups at higher risk; the use and effects of anti-retrovirus therapy and on the quality of life of people who live with AIDS (PVHA) and anti-retrovirus therapy (TARV); the quality in attention to PVHA; management of the STD/AIDS program, carried out by state and municipal health departments, as well as partner organizations of civil society; among other things.

Concentration of diseases in specific groups

The Brazilian epidemic remains concentrated in groups at higher risk, with a prevalence of HIV above 5% and with 50% of notified cases of AIDS among men who have sexual intercourse with men (HSH), sex professionals (OS) and drug addicts (UD).

Despite the many advances made, there are still great challenges. Some are related, among other factors, to low coverage of groups at higher risk and to the evolution of the epidemic with different profiles throughout the country. Others refer to the increase in expenses and other needs raised by survival rates of people living with HIV/AIDS.

In addition to the groups at higher risk, the Ministry of Health is directing a new focus on reaching new population groups at higher risk (such as HSH youths who do not participate in traditional networks, young women) and on regions lacking services (either poorer areas in the South and Southeast regions or in the North and Northeast regions), seeking the integration of the national response to HIV/AIDS into the health system as a whole.