Updating data and stimulating participation

The analysis of the Brazilian epidemiological situation as of August 1 1987 showed an annual increase of primary cases of AIDS of 3.5% since 1986 (2.3% to 4.8%). 82.2% of cumulative reported cases occurred in the Southeast region 62.3% of them in Sao Paulo. Two federal districts Amapa and Acre reported no incidence of AIDS. In decreasing order the populations of Sao Paulo Rio de Janeiro the Federal District and Rio Grande do Sul face a major risk of acquiring infection by HIV. The 25-39 age group had the highest risk. Sexual transmission was the preponderant mode of transmission (78.4%) followed by blood (14.1%) not specified (7.0%) and perinatal (.5%). In the under 15 age group transmission by blood was the highest (76.4%) followed by perinatal transmission (19.6%). Male adolescents and adults accounted for most cases of AIDS. The sexual mode of transmission (heterosexual) was 37.5% of not specified cases among adolescent and adult females. Mortality has been decreasing as a result of longer survival time of patients and earlier detection because of an improved system of epidemiological surveillance. Using the mathematical model adopted by the World Health Organization it is estimated that 1000 cases have not been diagnosed or reported to the Minister of Health (33.3%) increasing cumulatively to 3000 for the period. 9000 to 15000 persons have showed symptoms of infection by HIV. Asymptomatic carriers are estimated to be 150000 to 300000. The large number of this group is particularly important in the chain of transmission. The epidemiology of the profile of the AIDS syndrome in Brazil is very similar to that observed in Western Europe and the Americas but it is distinctly different from that in the countries of Central Africa especially regarding the mode of transmission.