The HIV epidemic in Peru is concentrated primarily among men who have sex with men. HIV interventions have focused exclusively
on a narrowly defined group of MSM and FSW to the exclusion of other populations potentially at increased risk. Interventions
targeting MSM and FSW are insufficient and there is evidence that focusing prevention efforts solely on these populations
may ignore others that do not fall directly into these categories. This paper describes non-traditional, vulnerable populations
within low-income neighborhoods. These populations were identified through the use of ethnographic and epidemiologic formative
research methods and the results are reported in this publication. Although the traditional vulnerable groups are still in
need of prevention efforts, this study provides evidence of previously unrecognized populations at increased risk that should
also receive attention from HIV/STI prevention programs.
Keywords HIV epidemiology - MSM - Sexual behavior - Risk - Community intervention trial - Vulnerability