Time-Site Survey of Substance Use, Sexual Behaviours, and HIV-Testing Practices among Women Attending Social Venues in Prague
AIM:
The rates
of HIV acquired through heterosexual contact are increasing in the Czech
Republic. This study explored potential HIV risk associations with alcohol,
illicit drugs and sexual behaviors among adults from a community-based sample
attending gay- and non-gay venues in Prague.
METHODS:
Women
attending bars, cafes and beer gardens in central Prague responded to the
self-administered, time-site survey. Alcohol use was measured by the AUDIT-C
and CAGE questionnaires. Sexual network structuring identified number, gender
and coital frequency with current and recent sexual partners. Statistical
analysis included central tendency, chi-square and logistic regression. Female
participants (n=124) ranged from 18 to 67 years of age (mean 29 years); 25%
self-identified as non-heterosexual.
RESULTS:
We found
alcohol to be the preferred drug of choice. Younger heterosexual women with new
and casual sexual partners were more likely to use alcohol excessively. Women
with children reported the least alcohol use. Sixty percent of the sample had
never used condoms; condom-use was associated with longer relationship duration
and discussions about HIV status with a sexual partner; non-use tended to occur
among unmarried women with multiple male partners in short, serial sexual
relationships. Women who sought HIV testing tended to be younger and more
self-identified as non-heterosexual. Protective practices were rarely reported
even when HIV transmission increases via heterosexual sexual partnering.
CONCLUSION:
Further
research is recommended regarding cultural and contextual influences on HIV
risk behaviors among Czech women.
- 1Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
- 2California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, United States.
- 3Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Cent Eur J Public Health. 2015 Jun;23(2):135-141.
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