Profiles of Female Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in Belo Horizonte and Recife: a comparison of white and black/mixed women

OBJECTIVE: To delineate and compare profiles of white and "Black" (either Black or mixed) women, 18 to 59 years-old, residents of Belo Horizonte and Recife (Brazil), focusing on their knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS, as well as their socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: Data come from the survey SRSR (Reproductive Health, Sexuality, and Race/Skin Color), conducted by Cedeplar in 2002 and the only one of its kind with representativeness at the municipality (county) level. Grade of Membership (GoM) was used to generate four profiles of women for each county. RESULTS: In Belo Horizonte and Recife, women who are more likely to be White are also more likely to have better education, health insurance, a stable partner in the year before the survey, and more power in their sexual partnership. Regarding the "Black" women in Belo Horizonte, they are more likely to have low education, no health insurance, and less power with their sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison among the profiles of White and "Black" women in Belo Horizonte and Recife points to differences regarding their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The differences between the two racial groups are more evident in Belo Horizonte.