title: Associations of HIV Testing, Sexual Risk and Access to Prevention Among Female Sex Workers in the Dominican Republic.
abstract: The Caribbean region has one of the highest proportions of HIV in the general female population attributable to sex work. In 2008 (n = 1256) and 2012 (n = 1525) in the Dominican Republic, HIV biological and behavioral surveys were conducted among female sex workers (FSW) in four provinces using respondent driven sampling. Participants were ≥15 years who engaged in intercourse in exchange for money in the past 6 months and living/working in the study province. There were no statistically significant changes in HIV and other infections prevalence from 2008 to 2012, despite ongoing risky sexual practices. HIV testing and receiving results was low in all provinces. FSW in 2012 were more likely to receive HIV testing and results if they participated in HIV related information and education and had regular checkups at health centers. Further investigation is needed to understand barriers to HIV testing and access to prevention services.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. lsjohnston.global@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.affiliation: National HIV Program, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Tessie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.affiliation: National HIV Program, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: UNAIDS, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Yordana
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dolores
authors.affiliation: Hartland Alliance, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de la Rosa
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malla
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.affiliation: National HIV Presidential Counseling, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Terrero
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dominican Republic; Female sex workers; HIV testing; Respondent-driven sampling