Background
The adult HIV prevalence in Jamaica stands at 1.5% with an estimated 32,617 PLHIV (revised UNAIDS estimates, 2019). At the end of December 2019, almost 16% of PLHIV (5,282 persons) were unaware of their status. In 2018, 1,165 new cases were reported to the MOHW; 53% were males. Most cases (n=992, 85%) were in the 20-59 age group with males accounting for 55% of the cases in this age group. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the cases were reported in the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. James, Westmoreland and Clarendon.
Jamaica continues to have both a generalized and a concentrated HIV epidemic. The highest proportion of new cases were identified among key and vulnerable populations in 2019. These were: heterosexual males (43% of new cases), low risk women (32% of new cases), youth (16% of new cases), and persons who self-identify as MSM (10% of new cases), inmates (6% of new cases) and FSW (2% of new cases) (Ministry of Health Surveillance data, June 2019). The HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men has remained high for nearly three decades with the most recent 2018 survey indicating 29.6% (876 survey, 2018).
The National HIV/STI Programme (NHP) has since 1991 conducted KABP studies in Jamaica in an effort to understand the knowledge attitude behaviour and practices of the general population towards HIV/AIDS and among concentrated populations who practices high risk behaviour. The findings will assist in directing the Programme’s prevention, treatment and enabling resources to key areas in tackling HIV/AIDS.
Key findings from the 2017 KABP survey indicate a need to scale up HIV prevention interventions and continue monitoring efforts. Among the cohort of persons 15-24 years, only 32.9% were able to correctly identify both ways of preventing transmission while rejecting major misconceptions. High risk behaviours such as multiple sex partnerships increased marginally with 45% of males and 16% of females reporting more than one sex partners in the last 12 months. There was a general decline in condom use with the main reason for non-use being loving and trusting their partner (51%).