HIV infection and sexual behaviour among homosexual and bisexual men in Bratislava.
OBJECTIVE
To determine sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence in a sample of homosexual and bisexual men in Bratislava.


METHODS
Participants were recruited at gay discotheque in Bratislava in February and June 1996. Saliva samples were collected for testing the presence of anti-HIV antibodies and a questionnaire regarding sexual practice was completed.


RESULTS
In the study 170 men (1st discotheque) and 124 men (2nd discotheque) were enrolled. The prevalence of antibodies against HIV was 5.4% and 1.6%, respectively. A group of 119 attenders (mean age: 25 years) was voluntarily questioned about their sexual lifestyle and related behaviour. Sexual orientation of participants was following: 66.4% homosexuals, 20.2% bisexuals, 13.4% others. Most responders were single and did not ever been married (86.55% vs. 12.6%, respectively). The figures of sexual intercourse were: steady partners: 45.38%, non-steady partners: 49.58%. More individuals were using condoms (70.58% vs. 15.97%, respectively), while only 28.57% were using them by each chance sexual intercourse. 6.7% responders suffered from an other STD and 3.36% were intravenous drug users.


CONCLUSIONS
The HIV prevalence (5.4% and 1.6%) was relatively low. Considering the high prevalence of unsafe sexual practice further spread of HIV infection among homosexual men in Slovakia is to be expected.
Staneková
D
D
National Reference Centre for HIV/AIDS, Institute for Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
Habeková
M
M
Wimmerová
S
S
Gramblicková
I
I
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015483:HIV Antibodies