The Centro de Orientación e Investigación Integral (COIN) is a private organization conceived as a result of the emergence of HIV/AIDS and human trafficking in the Dominican Republic. COIN implements HIV prevention programs and health care services for key populations throughout the region. COIN works with surrounding communities in the process of identifying their needs and problems to address key issues and reduce stigma.
Through a grant awarded under Advancing Partners & Communities (APC), COIN aims to reduce the incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) infections in key populations such as sex workers (SW), men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG) clients, and other vulnerable populations in the provinces of Santiago and La Vega. The program provides HIV prevention interventions, HIV counseling and testing (HCT), and STI services. COIN also plans to increase access to positive health, dignity, and prevention (PHDP) services for people living with HIV (PLHIV) from key populations, as well as to develop innovative models in community care and support (CCS) to improve the quality of life of PLHIV.
To achieve these goals, COIN has partnered with Movimiento de Mujeres Unidas (MODEMU) and Comunidad de Trans Trabajadoras Sexuales Dominicanas (COTRAVETD) and conducted a mapping exercise of sex work locations in Santiago and La Vega provinces. The organization also holds meetings with key stakeholders from the community including HIV/STI health workers, the Jarabacoa and La Vega hospitals, and the Office of Ministry of Women.