OBJECTIVE The work assessed the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a representative sample of both male and female sex workers with the aim of assessing sexual transmission of HCV infection. METHODS In the first four months of 2006, a total of 209 (195 females, average age 26, average time of providing sexual services 25 months) sex workers from 29 Moravian clubs were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by the immunochromatographic assay using a drop of capillary blood. RESULTS Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 2 female prostitutes (less than 1 %) of whom one reported intravenous drug use in the past suggestive of blood-borne infection rather than sexual transmission. Nearly half of the subjects (44.5 %) admitted intravenous use of drugs, especially crystal speed ("pervitin"). STDs were reported only by less than 3 % of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS In the Czech Republic, sexual transmission of HCV infection is of minor importance. Drug abuse is very common among sex workers.