title: The contributing role of tourism in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean.
abstract: The first confirmed case of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean was reported in 1982, however a recent report by UNAIDS shows that the epidemic has risen to over 250,000 persons living with the virus with the highest prevalence rates shown to be in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Various factors ranging from commercial sex trading to unsafe injection employed for drug abuse have been identified to play a contributing role in this increase. Also, the role and impact of tourism on the spread of HIV infection has been reported. Due to concerns shown by countries and territories who are dependent on tourism and that they rank amongst the most highly affected by HIV/AIDS in the region, this paper endeavours to examine the impact of HIV/AIDS and the contributing role of tourism to HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Spartan Health Sciences University, Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, West Indies. rotioris@yahoo.com
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Orisatoki
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Oguntibeju
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Truter
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006693:Holidays; D006801:Humans; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014900:West Indies / Q000453:epidemiology