title: Behavioral risk factors and prevalence of HIV and other STIs among female sex workers in Tirana, Albania.
abstract: The paper presents the results of the research and a comparative analysis of findings on key indicators for the study population. The study instrument was a standardized behavior study questionnaire provided in the Family Health International published manual (Family Health International, 2000). The target group was female sex workers working in Tirana. The prevalence of biological infections was low. HIV was detected in one case. Syphilis and Hepatitis B rates resulted to be respectively 6.5% and 7.6%. The median age of the study participants is 28 years. Almost 38% of the participants were illiterate, and more than half belong to the Roma community. Almost 50% of the respondents had received money in exchange of sex for the first time 18 years earlier. Almost 65% of respondents reported two or more different sex partners in the last seven days, while almost 30% referred five or more. Condom use at last sex with a paying client was reported by almost 68%. Consistent condom use with paying clients in the last month was reported by almost 35% of the respondents.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania. shqyra@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shp Tim
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Qyra
authors.forename: Moza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basho
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bani
authors.forename: Marjeta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dervishi
authors.forename: Dritan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ulqinaku
authors.forename: Silva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bino
authors.forename: Eduart
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kakarriqi
authors.forename: Ylli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alban
authors.forename: Artan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simaku
authors.forename: Adela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasili
authors.forename: Klodjan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rjepaj
authors.forename: Pellumd
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pipero
authors.forename: Vjollca
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Duro
authors.forename: Betim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Byku
authors.forename: Andi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koraqi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000415:Albania / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult