Table 2. Principal similarities and differences characterizing the two main categories of female sex workers (FSW) living in Bangui, the capital city of the Central African Republic, according to recognition regarding having had paid sex during the last three months in order to obtain economic compensation with more than three sexual partners.

	Categories
	Self-declared FSW	Clandestine FSW
Similarities	Same proportion of known past history of sexually transmitted infections Knowledge of HIV serological status Negotiation capabilities during paid sex
Differences	Professional Principal source of income Median age: 21 years 20% foreigner Generally well educated (except the ‘kata’) Young entry in sexuality Satisfactory knowledge on HIV/AIDS with high perception of high risk for HIV Frequent regular alcohol or psycho-active substances consumption	Nonprofessional Secondary source of income Median age: 25 years Rarely foreigner (90% from CAR) Poorly educated (in particular the ‘vendors’) Entry in sexuality near the age of majority Frequent erroneous knowledge on AIDS with low perception of risk for HIV Infrequent alcohol or psycho-active substance consumption