Biological, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors associated with death from AIDS in Brasília, Brazil, in 2007

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 448 - 452
• Main Authors: Lopes, Luiz Antonio Bueno, da Silva, Edina Mariko Koga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 01.08.2012; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; AIDS; Antiretroviral agents; Brazil - epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; Cause of Death; Disease Notification; Distribuição por idade; Epidemiology; Fatores socioeconômicos; Female; Health behavior; Health planning; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - mortality; Humans; Letalidade; Male; Middle Aged; Mortalidade; Mortality; Multivariate analysis; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomics; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Usuários de drogas; Young Adult; Brazil; Drug users; Usuários de drogas; Distribuição por idade; Letalidade; Mortality; Socioeconomic factors; Fatores socioeconômicos; Mortalidade; Lethality; Age distribution
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849; 0037-8682
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822012000400006

In the jurisdiction of Brasília, Brazil, significant reductions in mortality rates and lethality resulting from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were observed shortly after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. In recent years, however, the decline of these rates has not been as significant. Non-adherence to treatment and delayed diagnosis appear to be the main factors that increase the risk of death from AIDS. Behavioral, socioeconomic, and biological factors could also be associated with increased risk of death due to AIDS. This study aimed to identify which of these factors were associated with deaths from AIDS in Brasília. A case-control study was undertaken using the data recorded in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases. Cases consisted of AIDS deaths occurring in 2007, residing in Brasília, and over 12 years of age. Controls consisted of AIDS patients who did not die until December 31 2007, also residing in Brasília, and over 12 years of age. For each group, frequency and proportion tables for the variables were prepared. The statistical association of each factor in isolation with the occurrence of the deaths was verified through a model of multivariate analysis using logistic regression. The factors that were associated with an increased risk of death were intravenous drug use, age 50 years or more, and residing in a region whose residents have low per capita income. We identified factors associated with death due to AIDS that can guide health planning.