Objective: To determine sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence in a sample of homosexual and bisexual men in Bratislava. Patients and methods: Participants were recruited at gay discotheque in Bratislava in February and June 1996. Saliva samples were collected for testing the presence of anti-HIV antibodies and a questionnaire regarding sexual practice was completed. Results: In the study 170 men (1 st discotheque) and 124 men (2 nd discotheque) were enrolled. The prevalence of antibodies against HIV was 5.4 % and 1.6 %, respectively. A group of 119 attenders (mean age: 25 years) was voluntarily questioned about their sexual lifestyle and related behaviour. Sexual orientation of participants was following: 66.4 % homosexuals, 20.2 % bisexuals, 13.4 % others. Most responders were single and did not ever been maried (86.55 % vs. 12.6 %, respectively). The figures of sexual intercourse were: steady partners: 45.38 %, non-steady partners: 49.58 %. More individuals were using condoms (70.58 % vs. 15.97 %, respectively), while only 28.57 % were using them by each chance sexual intecourse. 6.7 % responders suffered from an other STD and 3.36 % were intravenous drug users. Conclusion: The HIV prevalence (5.4 % and 1.6 %) was relatively low. Considering the high prevalence of unsafe sexual practice further spread of HIV infection among homosexual men in Slovakia is to be expected.

        Key words: homo/bisexuals, HIV, behaviour