Same-Sex Behavior and its Relationship with Sexual and Health-Related Practices Among a Population-Based Sample of Women in Puerto Rico: Implications for Cancer Prevention and Control.

This secondary data analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of same-sex behavior and sexual and health-related practices of a population-based sample (n=560) of women aged 16-64 years in Puerto Rico (PR). Data collection included interviews and biologic samples. Seven percent of the sample had had sex with other women (WSW).

Methods in HPV Surveillance: Experiences from a Population-Based Study of HPV Infection among Women in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico.

This article describes the methodology of the first population-based study of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women aged 16-64 years residing in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico (PR). The sample was identified through a complex sampling design of households. The sampling frame was selected in four stages, using census tracts maps from the Census Bureau.

The prevalence of vertebral fractures in San Juan, Puerto Rico: a population-based study among females aged 50 years and over.

Objective: The participation of Puerto Rico in the Latin American Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (LAVOS) has allowed us to study the magnitude of the problem of osteoporosis in the female population residing in San Juan. The objective of LAVOS was to estimate the prevalence of vertebral fractures in Latin American women using a random sample of females selected from cities across five Latin American countries.

Methods: A probability cluster design was employed to select a random sample of households in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in order to interview 400 females aged 50 years and over.

Knowledge of viral hepatitis among Puerto Rican adults: implications for prevention.

Although primary prevention of HAV and HBV can be achieved through vaccination, the burden of HCV can only be reduced through behavioral interventions to reduce its risk factors. This study evaluated knowledge regarding transmission, clinical manifestations and prevention of viral hepatitis in Puerto Rico. We assessed the level of knowledge about HAV (six questions), HBV (12 questions) and HCV (eight questions) among non-institutionalized Puerto Rican adults aged 21-64 years.

Seroepidemiology of viral hepatitis, HIV and herpes simplex type 2 in the household population aged 21-64 years in Puerto Rico.

Background: Viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are key public health problems that pose an enormous risk for disease transmission in the general population. This study estimated, for the first time, prevalence estimates of serologic markers of HCV, HBV, HAV, HIV and HSV-2 in the adult population of Puerto Rico and assessed variations across sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics.

Methods: A seroepidemiologic survey was employed using a stratified cluster probability sample of households in Puerto Rico.

Feasibility of collecting biologic specimens in population-based surveys: experiences from the epidemiology of hepatitis C in the household, adult population of Puerto Rico study.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collects data on preventive health practices and risk behaviors that are linked to chronic diseases, injuries, and preventable infectious diseases that affect the adult population in all states and territories in the US. The BRFSS is currently the only survey conducted annually in Puerto Rico in the population aged 18 years and older; however, prevalence estimates are based on self-reports and therefore are subject to reporting errors. Although surveillance data are useful for the purpose of evaluation, program planning and health policy, surveys that collect biological specimens and clinical data provide a more accurate assessment of prevalence and a comprehensive picture of disease distribution and their risk factors.