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Puerto Rico National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (PR- NHBS) Study

Since 2003, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state health agencies of the United States of America (USA) and its jurisdictions, have implemented the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). NHBS collaborates with a total of 22 jurisdictions, thus collecting information from 22 statistical metropolitan areas nationwide, including Puerto Rico (PR). Locally, this system is known as the Puerto Rico National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (PR-NHBS).

NHBS was developed to help state and local health departments establish and maintain a surveillance system to monitor selected behaviors and prevention services among groups at highest risk for HIV infection.

  • Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)
  • Persons who inject drugs (PWID); known as the injection drug use or IDU
  • Heterosexuals at increased risk for HIV infection (HET)

Each year the PR-NHBS conducts around 550 interviews aimed at the population to be impacted during the current year, with the purpose of developing a surveillance system for monitoring behaviors of possible exposure to HIV and prevention services aimed at populations at increased risk of HIV infection.

Currently, the NHBS is coursing its sixth round: MSM-2020, IDU-2021 and HET-2022. 

The data collection process is performed through the administration of a standard questionnaire that is specific for each cycle according to the specific population to be studied. This questionnaire collects information regarding: the use of healthcare services, sexual behavior, substance use/or consumption and reach of preventive programs. For more information on procedures and questionnaires, click here.