Factors influencing the use of multiple HIV prevention services among Transport workers in a City in Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Over the last three decades, there has been tremendous progress in curbing the HIV epidemic in Uganda, although the HIV prevalence remains high among transport workers. Using multiple HIV prevention services has been found to decrease the risk of acquiring HIV when tailored to individuals at risk of HIV exposure, including transport workers. Therefore, we assessed the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services (≥2) and associated factors among transport workers in a city in Southwestern Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022. Transport workers comprising motorcycle taxi riders, and motor vehicle and truck drivers, aged 18 to 55 years were selected and responded to an interviewer-administered questionnaire. We conducted descriptive statistical and logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors associated with the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services. Results: Out of 420 participants, 97.6% were male, with a median age of 28 years and the majority were aged <34 years (84.6%). Overall, less than half (45.3%) of the participants had used multiple (≥2) HIV prevention services within a one-year period. Most of the participants had used condoms (32.2%) followed by voluntary HIV counseling and testing (27.1%), and safe male circumcision (17.3%). Most participants who tested for HIV had ever used condoms (16.2%), followed by those who received safe male circumcision and had ever used condoms (15%), and those who tested for HIV and had started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (9.1%). In the adjusted model, factors that were significantly associated with the use of multiple HIV prevention services included religion (AOR=2.69, 95% CI=1.38-5.23), the number of concurrent sexual partners (AOR=2.52, 95% CI=1.45-4.37), prior HIV testing and awareness of HIV serostatus (AOR=0.23, 95% CI=0.13-0.41), awareness of HIV prevention services (AOR=5.45, 95% CI=1.82-16.33), and financial payment to access HIV services (AOR=4.80, 95% CI=2.33-9.88). Conclusions The uptake of multiple HIV prevention services among transport workers remains suboptimal. This study suggests that individual behavioral factors influence the use of multiple HIV services compared with other factors. Therefore, differentiated strategies are needed to increase the utilization of HIV prevention services to curb the new HIV infections among transport workers.