The Dominican Republic records 13.7% male circumcision prevalence (Morris 2016; DHS 2007: ~86% uncircumcised). There is no established Dominican circumcision tradition. Circumcision is performed medically when indicated. Despite this low baseline, the DR ran the first VMMC trial outside Africa in 2015 (PMC4569265), targeting batey communities — sugar plantation migrant-worker communities with HIV prevalence of approximately 3.2%.
The Dominican Republic records 13.7% total-population male circumcision prevalence (Morris 2016, PMC4772313). The 2007 national ENDESA DHS found approximately 86% of men aged 15-59 uncircumcised — approximately 14% circumcised. A peer-reviewed study (Koenig et al. 2009, PMC2765614) states directly: "MC in the Dominican Republic does not have a specific cultural significance and is not routinely performed, except when medically necessary." The DR is approximately 90% Roman Catholic; there is no established Catholic, Afro-Caribbean, or other cultural tradition of routine male circumcision. Circumcision occurs medically when clinically indicated (phimosis, recurrent infection, etc.).
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Both countries have similarly low circumcision prevalence (~14% DR vs ~10% Haiti per Morris 2016); the difference is not explained by a distinct Dominican tradition but by small variations in medical practice and possibly US medical influence on the DR's more developed hospital infrastructure. Neither country has a routine circumcision tradition.
Despite the low baseline circumcision rate, the Dominican Republic hosted the first VMMC trial offered for HIV prevention outside Africa (Koenig et al. 2015, PMC4569265). The trial targeted batey communities — sugar plantation communities in the eastern Dominican Republic, predominantly populated by Haitian-descent migrant workers — where HIV prevalence is approximately 3.2%, compared to 1.2% in the eastern DR overall and approximately 0.9% nationally (UNAIDS 2023). The batey VMMC trial was a targeted intervention in a specific high-risk community, not a national routine programme. The Dominican Republic is not among the 15 WHO VMMC priority countries (all ESA sub-Saharan Africa).
No Dominican Republic statute specifically governs non-therapeutic male circumcision. The practice is unregulated. No DR-specific circumcision complication or harm cases were identified. Female genital mutilation is a separate matter and must not be conflated with male circumcision.
