Abstract
The HIV epidemic in Peru is concentrated primarily among men who have sex with men. HIV interventions have focused exclusively on a narrowly defined group of MSM and FSW to the exclusion of other populations potentially at increased risk. Interventions targeting MSM and FSW are insufficient and there is evidence that focusing prevention efforts solely on these populations may ignore others that do not fall directly into these categories. This paper describes non-traditional, vulnerable populations within low-income neighborhoods. These populations were identified through the use of ethnographic and epidemiologic formative research methods and the results are reported in this publication. Although the traditional vulnerable groups are still in need of prevention efforts, this study provides evidence of previously unrecognized populations at increased risk that should also receive attention from HIV/STI prevention programs.
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Acknowledgements
Preparation of this paper was supported in part by NIMH Grant No. 2U10 MH 061536 (NIMH Collaborative HIV/STD Prevention Trial). The conclusions and views expressed are those of the authors and not of the funding agency. The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the US Departments of the Navy or Army, the US Department of Defense, the US Government, or any other organization listed. This study was partially supported by LP-CRADA NM-04-1787 and Work Unit Number 847705 82000 25GB B0016. Mr. Andres G. Lescano is a civilian employee of the U.S. Government. Dr. Franca Jones is an active duty US Army military service member, this work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. § 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government’. Title 17 U.S.C. § 101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. These studies were approved by the committees for the protection of human subjects at Cayetano Heredia University, the University of California, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the U.S. Navy Medical Research Center, in compliance with all applicable Peruvian and U.S. regulations governing the protection of human subjects.
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Cáceres, C.F., Konda, K.A., Salazar, X. et al. New Populations at High Risk of HIV/STIs in Low-income, Urban Coastal Peru. AIDS Behav 12, 544–551 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9348-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9348-y