Second Generation Surveillance Survey of Akavaine and MSM in Cook Islands 2009

The Cook Islands is a very small Pacific island country, both in terms of geography and population. HIV is practically unknown in the Cook Islands, with only two cases of HIV infection ever reported and no residents currently living with HIV. However, previous Second Generation Surveillance (SGS) surveys have documented high rates of STI infection, especially Chlamydia, among antenatal women and youth in 2006. In 2008 young people under 24 years reported high levels of risky sexual behavior, including multiple and concurrent partners and low levels of condom use.

This report documents the findings from a Second Generation Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BSS) which was conducted among akavaine and men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Cook Islands in 2009.