(P151-LB) Self-perception of HIV infection risk and its associated factors in the general population of a southern Brazilian state.

Background: Rio Grande do Sul is a state in southern Brazil with an HIV epidemic with different characteristics than those of the rest of the country. This study aimed to assess the self-perception of risk of HIV infection in the population of Rio Grande do Sul.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, which was representative of the urban adult population of Rio Grande do Sul, was carried out between December 2020 and February 2023. Data collection includes an in-person interview and the collection of a capillary blood sample. Self-perception of HIV risk infection was assessed by the item “How do you assess your risk of being infected by HIV/AIDS?”, with the following alternatives: “No risk”, “Low risk”, “Medium risk” and “High risk”. HIV infection was defined by a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a detectable viral load test or rapid immunoblot assay. Participants with previously known HIV infection were excluded from this study. We used the Brazilian Criteria to define social status. Education level was categorized as “9th grade or less”, “10-th grade - high schools graduate”, “College (includes incomplete)”. Sexual orientation was aggregated into two categories: heterosexual or non-heterosexual. The reported number of sexual partners in the last year was categorized into “one”, “two or “three” or “more than three”. Weighted frequencies were calculated taking into account probability weights for sex and municipality strata, and comparisons between groups were tested by means of chi-square tests.

Results: In total, 4231 participants were included. Of these 51.7% perceived “No risk” of HIV infection, 39.6% perceived “Low risk” of HIV infection, 5.9% perceived “Medium risk” and 2.9% perceived “High risk”. There were significant differences in self-reported risk according to age, social status, education level, sexual orientation, number of sexual partners and condom use in the last intercourse. There was no association between self-perceived risk and HIV infection.

Conclusion: Older, poorer and less educated people perceived lower risk of HIV infection. Non-heterosexual persons, and persons with more than 1 partner in the last year perceived higher risk of HIV infection. Self-perceived risk of infection was not associated with HIV infection.