Locally conducted research has played a critical role in guiding the response to the HIV epidemic in Jamaica. The research contributed greatly to Jamaica’s comprehensive HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) control programme that has been effective in slowing the HIV epidemic, reducing HIV prevalence among sex-workers and STI clinic attendees, preventing mother-to-child transmission, reducing syphilis rates and mitigating the impact of HIV on the population.

A survey of 201 men who have sex with men in Jamaica in 2007 found 32% to be HIV seropositive. A past sexually transmitted disease, receptive anal intercourse and lower socio-economic status were associated with HIV infection.