HIV infection and risk behaviour of commercial sex workers and intravenous drug users in Slovakia.

Abstract

Aim of the study was to determine risk behaviour and HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers (CSWs) and intravenous drug users (IDUs) in streets of Bratislava and B. Bystrica, SR. HIV antibodies were tested from saliva using ELISA test. Anonymous questionnaire was completed. 121 persons (61 men and 60 women) were involved in the sociological study. Mean age of the participants was 21.9 years. 185.1% of subjects were from Bratislava. 108 participants were tested for the presence of HIV-antibodies, one was confirmed HIV-positive (0.82%). In the past 47.9% of participants and 22.3% of their partners were tested for the presence of HIV-antibodies. 10.8% of subjects proclaimed that they suffered from other sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past HIV testing of participants significantly correlated with the testing for other STI (p<0.002) as well as with HBV/HCV (p<0.001). 58 participants were using tattooing (47.9%). 46.3% of all participants never used condoms with partners. 31.4% of respondents proclaimed disruption of condom during sexual intercourse. Significant correlation was found between testing of participants for other STI and usage of condoms with their partners (p<0.013). Women used condoms more often by sexual contacts with partners than men used condoms (p<0.094). They were also significantly more tested for other STI in the past (p<0.021) and they suffered from other STI more often than men (p<0.033). 26.5% of person--only women--were involved in commercial sex work. 93.5% of them were taking drugs as well, 21.8% suffered for other STI in the past They were working in sex business on average for 26 months. The average number of their clients per week was 12.3. CSWs used condoms more often with clients than with partners. 98.2% of all participants were taking drugs, 93% of them intravenously. 24.6% of IDUs always used new or their own needles and syringes, while 69.4% shared equipments with the other users. IDUs drug users used condoms significantly less often with their partners than did CSWs (p<0.006). CSWs were significantly more often tested for other STI (p<0.001) and they also more often suffered for other STI than IDUs (p<0.045). More effort should be done to decrease risk behaviour revealed in the groups of CSWs and drug users.