Comparative study of the vulnerability profile of young people and adults with reactive HIV tests

Objective: To identify and compare the vulnerability profile of young people and adults with reactive tests for human immunodeficiency virus in a large Brazilian municipality. Method: Descriptive epidemiological study involving 84 young people and 147 adults who visited one of the municipality’s Testing and Counseling Centers between 2018 and 2021 and tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and standardized and adjusted residual analysis were performed. Results: There was a statistically significant association between being young and single, having completed high school, being a student, being a man who has sex with men, and not having been tested for human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis at the time of diagnosis, as well as an association between adults who were married/in a stable relationship, had completed higher education, were employed, were heterosexual, and had partners with sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: Understanding the vulnerability profile of people who test positive for human immunodeficiency virus helps guide public health actions aimed at controlling virus transmission among population groups that require greater attention.