OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with perception of HIV infection risk among postpartum women admitted to charitable maternity hospitals. METHODS: The study sample comprised 384 postpartum women admitted to two charitable maternity hospitals in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data collection was carried out from January to March 2000. All women were interviewed 12 hours after delivery and data was collected on sociodemographics, STD/AIDS knowledge and attitudes (independent variables) and cultural issues (dependent variables), and "whether she considered herself at risk for HIV infection" (dependent variable). Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Nearly 29% of postpartum women considered themselves at risk for HIV infection. They were single, had prior STD and believed " married men enjoy himself in the same way as single men do". Prevention and health maintenance behaviors were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: Women's knowledge on AIDS seems to affect their individual risk perception. Future HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns should be focused on increasing couples and adolescents' involvement.
HIV infections; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Knowledge, attitudes, practice; Women's health; Perception; Risk factors; Puerperium; HIV infections; HIV; Socioeconomic factors; Sexually transmitted diseases
