HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

LONG DISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the awareness regarding HIV/AID and sexual behaviour
among long distance truck drivers (LDTDs) in Bahawalpur division. Study design: A cross
sectional population study. Setting: Three districts (Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and RYK).
Data: Sample of size of 120 LDTDs is taken by using convenient sampling technique. Methods:
Descriptive and inferential analysis carried out. Results: Every 6 out of 10 LDTDs have heard
aboutHIV/AIDS and believed that sexual intercourse is a major mode of its transmission. The
use of condom before sex is seldom among truckers. Exactly half of LDTDs have only one
sexual partner while nearly quarter (23.3%) of the respondents currently having two sexual
partners. Over half (54.2%) of truckers made payment for sex with commercial sex workers
(CSWs) and only 3.3% did so with their helper/conductor. Two models are executed separately
to explore the association of trucker’s knowledge about HIV/AIDS (Model 1) and those who
paid for sex (Model 2). Pearson chi-square analysis exhibits that respondents having age group
25-30 year, those with native of Punjabi language, those who manage to earn more than 15,000
Pakistani rupees per month, those having secondary level of schooling and those watching
TV has higher knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. LDTDs with age thirty years and over, Saraiki
speaking, monthly income less than 10,000, illiterate, unmarried, watching TV and remain
away from home during current trip a week are found to be more prone to pay for sex to
CSW. Conclusions: The awareness of HIV/AIDS and knowledge of its transmission through
sexual contact is high among LDTDs but still public health strategies are needed to promote
the knowledge of all possible transmission modes of HIV/AIDS and use of condom before sex,
ultimately to improve health outcomes.