Table 3. Principal similarities and differences characterizing the so-called ‘pupulengue’ and ‘kata’ subgroups of professional female sex workers living in Bangui.

	Subgroups
	‘Pupulengue’	‘Kata’
Similarities	Self-declared prostitutes Originating from the CAR Unmarried or ‘free girl’ No or few children Same proportion of known past history of sexually transmitted infections Similar age of entry in sexuality Similar duration of prostitution
Differences	Work exclusively downtown Preference for White men or foreigners Median age : 21 years Well educated >50%: 1–2 children High perception of high risk for HIV Frequent knowledge of HIV status High level of self-protection during paid sex Strong negotiation capabilities during paid sex Occasional alcohol consumption Infrequent psycho-active substances consumption	Work in poor suburbs of Bangui Clients usually Black men without preference on their nationalities (men from CAR as well as foreigners) Median age: 20 years Poorly educated #70%: no child Low perception of risk for HIV Infrequent knowledge of HIV status Low level of self-protection during paid sex Weak negotiation capabilities during paid sex Daily alcohol consumption Frequent psycho-active substances consumption