# Sexual Practices Among Residents Over 18 Years of Age in the Santa Rosa Sector of Baní, Dominican Republic: Risk Factors Associated With the Transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections

## TL;DR

This study examines sexual behaviors and risk factors for STIs among adults in the Dominican Republic, finding that risky practices persist despite some sexual education.

## Contribution

The study identifies key demographic and behavioral risk factors for STIs in a specific population in the Dominican Republic.

## Key findings

- The median age for first sexual intercourse was 17 years.
- Vaginal trichomonas infection was the most common STI in the population.
- 47% of those with sexual education reported never using condoms.

## Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute a diverse group of diseases that spread among individuals through sexual contact and nonsexual exposures, such as blood transfusions or contamination with organic fluids. These infections are caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites, among others.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify which gender most frequently engages in risky sexual behaviors, determine the age group most susceptible to contracting STIs within the study population, evaluate which level of education is associated with a higher likelihood of STI occurrence in the community, describe the most common individual and partner-related risk behaviors, assess whether participants had received any form of sexual education, and analyze how often condoms are used, with attention to differences according to sex.

Methodology: This is an observational, cross-sectional, prospective, and descriptive study with a population sample of 346 participants.

Results: The median age for first sexual intercourse was 17 years, the most common STI in the population was vaginal trichomonas infection, and in a history of sexual education, more people reported having received some type of sexual education. The most relevant risky sexual practices in people with a history of sexual education reported were the use of condoms, with 47% never using them, the number of sexual partners, and the type of these sexual relations.

Conclusions: Despite some sexual education, risky practices such as inconsistent condom use and multiple partners persist, highlighting the importance of personalized and reinforced educational programs to effectively address these behaviors.