Article Text
Abstract
Introduction The present research examined the factors associated to hospital admissions for HIV in Ribeirão Preto - SP. We used the theoretical concept of vulnerability, understood as a set of individual elements (subjective, biological and behavioural), and social elements (adversities of economic and social order) that worsen individuals and/or groups in relation to health issues.
Methods This is an observational epidemiologic study, of case-control type, held in Ribeirão Preto - SP. The study population was made up of the people living with HIV (PLHIV), being called ”cases” those who were admitted in 2014 and ”controls” those who were followed up at outpatient clinics of the public health system. Interviews were conducted using a specific instrument, containing questions on sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics and other individual and social vulnerabilities. We also collected data from secondary sources, being mainly the clinical record. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis techniques and conditional logistic regression.
Results 168 people living with HIV participated, properly matched in the ratio of 1: 2, so 56 hospitalised PLHIV and 112 not hospitalised PLHIV. Among the risk factors for hospital admission for HIV, we found out that unemployed people and retirees/homemakers had 3.63 and 7.14 times more likely than those who are employed or self-employed; people on the street had 10.18 times more likely to be hospitalised than those who were not on the street; non antiretroviral users had 9.68 times more likely than those under antiretroviral therapy.
Conclusion This research contributed to measure how some characteristics of social and individual vulnerabilities interfere with the intensification of HIV, providing then an unfavourable outcome, as in the case of hospitalisation. This understanding allows us to identify the key population that needs public policies focused on minimising clinical instability of the disease, suffering, pain, and even the costs of hospital services.