AEGiS-14IAC: HIV risk behavior among male sex workers in Budapest, Hungary.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

HIV risk behavior among male sex workers in Budapest, Hungary.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrE1205)

Csepe P, Forrai J, Kelly JA, Amirkhanian YA, Mocsonaki L
Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

BACKGROUND: In Hungary men who have sex with men account for a high proportion of HIV infections. Male sex workers are usually considered to be at high risk in the HIV epidemic.

METHODS: A total of 469 men who have sex with men surveyed in Budapest gay community venues in 2001. Men completed a self-administered questionnaire about their sexual practice, AIDS risk knowledge, safer sex attitudes, behavior change intention and perceived safer sex norms. We analyzed separately the sub-sample of 80 males who exchanged sex for money.

RESULTS: The mean age of male sex workers in the sample was 28 years Approximately 19% of them reported that they had been treated in the past for an STD. Eighty-one percent said that they had an HIV test at some point in the past; 92% of them said their result was negative. Men correctly answered an average of 66% of the questions assessing practical knowledge about HIV risk and risk reduction steps. However, 35% of them did not know that condoms should not be lubricated with oils or vaseline, 41% believed that washing carefully after sex helps to protect one from HIV and 40% felt they do not have to follow safer sex guidelines if their partners says he is HIV-negative. High-risk behavioral practices were common, about 40% of men engaged in unprotected anal intercourse at least once in the past three months. With respect to the past year, 41% said that they had female partners. Twenty-four percent of men engaged in vaginal intercourse in the past three months, but only 35% of them used condom during the last vaginal intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS: High proportion of men who exchanged sex for money reported engaging in high-risk sexual behavior practices including unprotected anal intercourse. Low rate of condom use by male sex workers during intercourse with female partners creates risk to them. HIV prevention programs focused on the needs of male sex workers in Hungary are urgently needed.

Keywords: AEGIS, Risk-Taking, HIV Infections, Safe Sex, Condoms, Homosexuality, Male, HIV Seropositivity, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Questionnaires, Coitus, Hungary, Contraceptive Devices, Male, Male, Human, Female

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TuOrE1205