Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in sugarcane cutters: subsidies to caring for.
Juliana Pontes Soares, Sheila Araújo Teles, Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano and 7 others
PMID 32578756WHAT IT FOUND
Among 937 Brazilian sugarcane cutters, 4.1% tested positive for at least one STI.
Age 40 or older, alcohol use, and illicit drug use were linked to positivity, so sexual-health screening and risk conversations may be needed in rural male workers.
Key findings
014.1% of sugarcane cutters tested positive for at least one of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or syphilis.
02In adjusted analysis, age 40 or older, illicit drug use, and alcohol use were associated with higher odds of STI positivity.
03Having a religion and working in the Midwest region were associated with lower odds of STI positivity in adjusted analysis.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that alcohol, drug use, religion, region, or age caused STI positivity. Sexual behaviour and substance use were self-reported, and participants may have underreported risk behaviours because of embarrassment. The outcome was based on rapid tests for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis only, so other sexually transmitted infections were not assessed. The sample was limited to manual sugarcane cutters in mills in two Brazilian states, so the results may not apply to other workers or regions.
Declared interests
The study was supported by Programa de Extensão Universitária PROEXT 2016/2017 and CNPq Universal. The article does not report competing interests.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the significant odds ratios as proof that alcohol or illicit drug use caused STIs in these workers. The study was cross-sectional, so it can only show association.