title: It goes both ways: a cross-sectional study of buying and selling sex among young behaviourally bisexual men in Vientiane, Laos.
abstract: Background Transactional sex may increase risk of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). In Laos, men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by HIV, and bisexual behaviour among men is relatively common. The occurrence of transactional sex among behaviourally bisexual men in Vientiane, Laos was explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2010, behaviourally bisexual men were recruited through enhanced snowball sampling to complete a behavioural survey. Reports of transactional sex partners (anal/vaginal sex) in the previous year, by direction of payment and partner gender, is described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 88 participating behaviourally bisexual men (median age 22 years), 17 (19%) reported only selling sex, eight (9%) reported only paying for sex and nine (10%) reported both selling and paying for sex. Men reporting any transactional sex reported a median of four transactional sex partners and reported a higher number of total sex partners in the previous 12 months (median: 18.5 partners) than men reporting no transactional sex partners (median: 6 partners). Of 26 men who reported selling sex, 15 (58%) were paid by females, 15 (58%) were paid by males and 14 (55%) were paid by transgender sex partner(s); 11 (42%) reported consistent condom use (CCU) when selling sex. Of 17 men who reported paying for sex, 13 (76%) paid females, six (35%) paid males and two (12%) paid transgender partner(s); eight (47%) reported CCU when paying for sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young behaviourally bisexual men engaging in transactional sex may be at increased risk of HIV and STIs. Prevention interventions should consider the transient and informal nature of transactional sex in this population.
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bowring
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Gemert
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, Bounhom Tower, Room 207 & 307, Thongkhankham Village, Unit 9 Chanthaboury District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
authors.forename: Kongchay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vongsaiya
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Vientiane Capital Health Department, Ministry of Health, Samsenthai Road, Ban Sisaket, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
authors.forename: Amphoy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sihavong
authors.affiliation: Centre for HIV, AIDS and STI, Ministry of Health, KM 3, Thadeua Road, Ban Thaphalanxay, Sisatthanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
authors.forename: Chansy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phimphachanh
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, Bounhom Tower, Room 207 & 307, Thongkhankham Village, Unit 9 Chanthaboury District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
authors.forename: Niramonh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chanlivong
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toole
authors.affiliation: Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hellard