Knowledge and attitude regarding HIV / Aids infection among the truck drivers – a one year cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Truck drivers are crucial in spreading HIV infection through out the country in a short time because of their high risk behavior. This population requires extra and concentrated efforts so that the problem of AIDS could be brought to low level among them. A study of this nature will help to formulate an information, communication and education package regarding HIV / AIDS which can be used for these truck drivers. Objectives: To study the knowledge and attitude regarding HIV / AIDS among long distance truck drivers and to observe the sexual behaviour among them. Study design: Cross-sectional Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on truck drivers visiting any of 5 ‘dhabas’ situated in the outskirts of Belgaum city. The study was carried for a period of 1 year from Jan-2007 to dec-2007. All the truck drivers were invited to participate and those who consent for interview were taken to separate enclosure in order to maintain privacy and confidentiality. Data was collected on knowledge, attitude regarding HIV/AIDS and sexual practices by personal interview of the participant using a pre- designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Results: Out of 400 truck drivers, majority were below 40 years with mean age of 31.2 years. 59% were from semi-urban place of residence, 12% of the participants were illiterates, 86% were married and 75.5% were in occupation for less than 10 years. 21% have heard of HIV as compared to 73.5% who have heard of AIDS and 90% got this information from mass media. Majority of the participants had good knowledge about modes of transmission but misconceptions existed in less than 50% of the participants. Majority of the participants expressed that social problems are the main reason for not informing their HIV status to others. 74.5% of the participants were willing to give sympathy/care and share kitchen/toilet with the HIV/AIDS patients. 10% and 28.5% drivers had genital discharge and itching in every 6 months. 48% of the truck drivers used alcohol during their sexual exposure to CSWs and 4.5% of the total abused IV drugs. XI 60% of the drivers got exposed to sex between 18-20 years for the 1 life. Among those who were exposed to CSWs, 7% did not used condoms at all during sex. This makes them the highest risk group. Overall knowledge of the participants regarding HIV/AIDS increased with increase in their educational status. 65% illiterates told that they will give sympathy and care for HIV patients. 4 illiterates, 30 and 16 of primary and secondary level education participants did not use condoms during sex with CSW. Knowledge of the participants regarding transmission of HIV/AIDS increased with increase in their socio-economic status. 92%, 69% and 57% of the participants of class II, III and IV thought that they should show sympathy and give care to AIDS patient. 11.7%, 13% and 14% of the participants of class II, III and IV did not have the habit of condom use at the time of their sexual exposure to CSWs. Among those who have used condoms 38% and 21% of married and unmarried group always used while, 25.5% and 16.8% of them occasionally used condoms during their sexual exposure to CSWs. Personal habits and exposure to CSWs among participants increased with increase in their duration of stay away from home. The results of this study clearly highlighted the need for health education strategies to be modified in such a way that the knowledge gained is converted to the healthy practices among truck drivers.