Risk behaviours and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in a group of Dominican gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to estimate the point prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and to investigate the sexual practices and behaviours associated with STIs in a group of gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women (GMT) in the province of La Romana, Dominican Republic.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of GMT persons.


METHODS
The study was conducted in the province of La Romana, Dominican Republic, in June-July 2013.


METHODS
Out of 117 GMT persons screened, a total of 100 completed the study. Participants had to be at least 18 years of age, reside in La Romana and have had sex with another man in the preceding 12 months. All participants were interviewed and tested for STI.


METHODS
The main outcome of interest was the detection of any STI (HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, hepatitis B or C) by serology.


RESULTS
Among 100 participants, the median age was 22 years (range 18-65). One-third had consumed illicit drugs the preceding year and only 43% consistently used condoms. Prevalence was 38% for HSV-2, 5% for HIV and 13% for syphilis. There were no cases of hepatitis B or C. Factors associated with the odds of a STI were age >22 years (OR=11.1, 95% CI 3.6 to 34.5), receptive anal intercourse (OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 13.6) and having ≥2 male sexual partners during the preceding month (OR=4, 95% CI 1.3 to 12.5).


CONCLUSIONS
In this group of GMT persons, seroprevalence of STI was high, and a number of risk behaviours were associated with STI. These preliminary data will help inform policy and programmes to prevent HIV/STI in GMT persons in the region.
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Maximo O
MO
Brito
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
David
D
Hodge
HIV Vaccine Trial Unit, Instituto Dermatólogico y Cirugía de Piel, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Yeycy
Y
Donastorg
School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Shaveta
S
Khosla
Clínica de Familia, La Romana, Dominican Republic.
Leonel
L
Lerebours
School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Zachary
Z
Pope
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D063106:Transgender Persons; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
SEXUAL MEDICINE