Epidemiological and Spatial Disparities of HIV/AIDS in Adults in Brazil: A Comparative Analysis Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Populations.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare the characteristics and trends of HIV/AIDS notifications among Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Brazil from 2007 to 2023. This is a cross-sectional, ecological, and descriptive study, employing adult HIV/AIDS surveillance data, which includes sociodemographic variables, epidemiological backgrounds, and laboratory data. A total of 487,405 HIV/AIDS cases were recorded, with a significantly higher prevalence among individuals of Asian race/color. The Indigenous population exhibited a lower notification rate, yet higher rates in specific age groups and a greater prevalence of vertical HIV transmission. Significant differences were also identified in education levels and epidemiological backgrounds, with sexual transmission predominating among non-Indigenous individuals, especially among men who have sex with men. Among Indigenous people, transmission through heterosexual relationships was more common. The vertical transmission and higher notification rate in specific age groups among Indigenous populations underscore the need for health strategies that are adapted to consider the cultural specificities of these populations.