Heterosexual transmission of HIV--Puerto Rico, 1981-1991.

Puerto Rico has the second highest overall rate of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases among states and territories of the United States and the second highest rate of cases among women (1,2). Although heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among persons reported with AIDS has increased throughout the United States--accounting for 8% of all U.S. AIDS cases diagnosed in 1991 (2,3)--the proportion of cases attributed to heterosexual transmission is highest in Puerto Rico (18%). This report summarizes data collected through the Puerto Rico AIDS Surveillance Program to characterize AIDS cases associated with heterosexual transmission during 1981-1991.