Female sex work and HIV risks in Croatia

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to analyze and compare the prevalence of HIV-related sexual risk taking among Croatian female sex workers (FSW) in two major urban areas. Two groups of FSWs were interviewed in Zagreb (n=65) and Split (n=89). Participants' mean age was 33.3 (SD=8.32). Interviews were conducted by outreach organizations that provide health services to sex workers in the two cities. The study used a brief questionnaire with standardized behavioral and HIV knowledge indicators. The two groups of FSWs differed significantly in most socio-demographic and socio-sexual indicators. Women from the Split sample were somewhat younger (chi(2)=6.87, p<0.05), less educated (chi(2)=7.71, p<0.05), less likely to be single (chi(2)=19.81, p<0.001), and less likely to be unemployed (chi(2)=5.22, p<0.05). In addition, they injected drugs in higher proportion (chi(2)=35.03, p<0.001), but had less clients in the preceding month (chi(2)=12.54, p<0.001) and were less likely to be abused by them (chi(2)=7.18, p<0.01). HIV testing was significantly more prevalent among participants in the Split sample (chi(2)=4.95, p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, selling sex in Zagreb (OR = 14.48, p<0.01), having secondary or higher education (OR = 4.76, p<0.05), ever tested for HIV (OR = 8.34, p<0.05), and having assessed the risk of getting infected with HIV as high (OR = 0.23, p<0.05) were significantly associated with consistent condom use with clients in the last month. The findings of this first systematic study on HIV-related risks among FSWs in Croatia point to the need to update targeted intervention programs by improving the prevention of HIV risks associated with injecting drug use (Split) and by a more efficient HIV educational approach.

Victimization and HIV Risks Among Croatian Female Sex Workers

“…Our study assessed the victimization experiences and HIV risk of FSWs living and working in Croatia’s two largest urban areas. The sample widely reported direct and indirect victimization at rates similar to those found in the first wave carried out in 2008 (Štulhofer et al, 2009). Depressiveness was found to partially mediate and social support to moderate the association between victimization and recent STI diagnosis.…”

“…A brief questionnaire based on one developed for the first wave of the study in 2008 (Štulhofer, Baćak, Drglin, Puljiz, & Miklin, 2009) was used. With 45 items, it took about 10 min to complete, including the self-administered part.…”