Abstract
Problem: Is associated the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to ethnic groups? Objective: This study describes the AIDS distribution in Metropolitan Region (MR) in Brazil, by race/color, sex, category of exposure, and analyses its temporal evolution (2000-2007). Methods: The data of Aids in persons of 20 to 69 years were collected in the Information Department of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (DATASUS). The distribution and temporal evolution in each MR is analyzed by race/color, sex, category of exposure, as well as the annual incidence rate of Aids in each MR. The contingence of table allowed the X2 test and the residual analysis, which points out the Aids excess in the MR according to the race or color. The correspondence analysis presents the relationship among the categories. Results: Of the totality of the AIDS registers 42% were of whites, 10% of blacks, 21% of brown and 26% of ignored race information. The two dimensions (race and MR) explain 95% of the total variation. The associations between race and MR are the following: White is associated to Florianópolis, Campinas e São Paulo; the brown is associated to Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and Recife; and, the ignored information of race is associated to Entorno de Brasília (DF), Goiânia and Fortaleza. The black race has not MR associated. Conclusion: The race analysis should be used in appropriated context, and this way enabling their proper interpretation. Health professionals should be careful and do not associate race and AIDS in a pejorative way, but it is necessary to study deeply the social factors associated with AIDS.
