Abstract

NEGRONI-BELEN, Mirka et al. Identification of meeting sites of new sexual partners in two Southern border cities in Mexico using the PLACE method. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2003, vol.45, suppl.5, pp. S647-S656. ISSN 0036-3634.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-36342003001100010.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the meeting sites of new sexual partners in two Southern border cities in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive epidemiologic study was carried out in May 2001, by surveying key informants in two border cities. Each reported site was visited to interview a resident subject. Subjects socializing in a subsample of sites were also interviewed. RESULTS: The key informants of the community reported 134 meeting sites in Chetumal and 111 in Ciudad Hidalgo. Both sites had scarce HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Characteristics were obtained for 89 sites in Chetumal and 42 in Ciudad Hidalgo. Almost 21% of interviewees reportedly met a new sexual partner in these sites in the past four weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive actions are needed in meeting sites of new sexual partners. This method may provide information to plan for future interventions.

Keywords : prevention; HIV/AIDS; sexually transmitted diseases; Mexico.