Sexual behaviors and risk factors for HIV infection among men who have sex with men in the Dominican Republic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe self-reported types of sexual identity of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Dominican Republic, assess sociodemographics and behavioral characteristics, and measure the prevalence of HIV-1 and syphilis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of MSM recruited from a variety of community settings. METHODS: A total of 354 men agreed to participate after giving verbal informed consent. Information was obtained using a standardized questionnaire assessing demographics and AIDS-relevant information. Blood was obtained for HIV and syphilis testing. RESULTS: Five main sexual identity groups emerged: cross dressers, homosexuals, gigolos, bisexuals and heterosexuals. Receptive anal and oral intercourse were commonly reported by men self-identifying as cross dressers or homosexuals, whereas nearly all of the remaining three groups practiced only insertive intercourse. Sexual contact with women was also commonly reported; overall, consistent condom use was infrequent. HIV antibodies were detected in 11.0% and serologic evidence of syphilis was found in 7.3%. Factors independently associated with HIV infection included serologic evidence of syphilis, having visited at least one of four local brothels in 1975-1985, and having had receptive anal intercourse with four or more partners in the last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis, sexual practices and social context of sex (commercial sex), rather than sexual identity per se, were associated with HIV infection. The complex social networks of MSM in this setting, the tendency to practice either insertive or receptive sex, but not both, infrequent condom use, high rates of syphilis and the frequency of sex with women need to be taken into account for targeted HIV prevention programs to be successful.

AIDS heterosexual predominance in the Dominican Republic.

AIDS surveillance data from the Dominican Republic are described for 1983-89. A positive serologic test for HIV was required, and standard clinical criteria were used for defining AIDS. There were 1,202 AIDS cases (820 men, 372 women, 10 of unknown gender) reported to the Ministry of Health, for a cumulative case rate of 17 per 100,000 persons. Rapid growth of the epidemic is noted, with 43% of the total cases reported in 1989. Heterosexual exposure accounts for 53% (593) of all cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1, resembling a World Health Organization Pattern I/II country. Prevalence is highest in and surrounding the urbanized tourist areas of Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata and in districts with a high concentration of sugar plantation barracks, where laborers from Haiti and the Dominican Republic work and live. The distribution of AIDS cases is described by transmission exposure category, age, sex, year of diagnosis, and district. The National AIDS Surveillance Program can be improved by validation of exposure transmission categories through selected case investigation and by better reporting through training of health care providers. Surveillance data will assist in targeting future public health efforts to regions and persons at highest risk.