Reducing AIDS risk among port workers in Santos, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the impact of worksite-based AIDS prevention program among port workers in Santos, Brazil, on sexual risk behavior for HIV infection. METHODS: Male port workers (n = 226) were followed in a 3-wave prospective cohort study. A multifaceted intervention costing US $90,000 for 20,000 workers was conducted between waves 2 and 3. RESULTS: Heterosexual risk behavior showed no decline between waves 1 and 2 (before the intervention) but decreased substantially between waves 2 and 3 (after the intervention). This decrease resulted from both a decrease in nonprimary partners and an increase in condom use. CONCLUSIONS: This worksite-based AIDS program produced marked behavior change at modest cost.