HIV Infection Among Transport Workers Operating Through Siliguri-Guwahati National Highway, India

Abstract

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2004 to understand the problem of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among long-distance transport workers operating through the Siliguri-Guwahati national highway. The study included 301 transport workers who were contacted at different transport workers' stops on the Siliguri-Guwahati national highway. Informed consent was obtained. Participants were interviewed for their socio-demographic characteristics, risk behavior, and risk perceptions. Blood testing for HIV, hepatitis B virus, and syphilis (at least 1:8 dilution) showed seroprevalence rates of 2.3%, 3.7%, and 6.3%, respectively. About 67% said they visited sex workers. The reported condom use rate was 58%. About 27% sustained a sexually transmitted infection within the last year. The existing HIV prevalence among transport workers appears to be low, but in view of their risk behavior and high rate of sexually transmitted infection, HIV rates may increase unless a suitable behavioral intervention is urgently initiated toward them.

Impact of an HIV Prevention Intervention on Condom Use among Long Distance Truckers in India

“…Substantial proportions of truckers also have sexual relations with non-paid female partners [14–16] and only about one-third use condoms consistently in such sexual encounters [15, 16]. Studies in the country have found high HIV prevalence (2–16 %) [14, 15, 17, 18] and high STI prevalence (3–13 %) among truckers [15, 17, 18]. …”

A study on sexual risk behaviors of long-distance truck drivers in central India

“…6 Studies in the country have found high HIV (2-13 %) and high STI prevalence (3-16 %) among long distance truck drivers. 4,11,12 Therefore the present study aimed to examine the risk behaviors and Prevalence of STI's among Long distance truck drivers in association with their age, education, length of time away from home and CSW's exposure.…”

An Appraisal of Sexual Behaviors, STI/HIV Prevalence, and HIV Prevention Programs among Truckers in India: A Critical Literature Review

“…We also noticed that most of the studies included only the drivers and ignored their helpers despite the fact that the later have been found to have higher vulnerabilities towards HIV [23] [38] [39] [77]. Many studies which included both drivers and helpers provided aggregate level figures and they did not present the findings separately for drivers and helpers [19] [29] [32] [36] [43]. Only few such studies presented selected indicators separately for both drivers and helpers [23] [31].…”

“…Few studies in which truckers were recruited from clinics established to treat STIs found much higher prevalence of HIV ranging from 16% -57% [19] [29] [44] [45]. Studies during early 2000 found high prevalence of syphilis (6.3%) and Hepatitis B (4% to 6%) among truckers [32] [43]. Recent studies conducted towards the end of 2000 found relatively lower prevalence of syphilis ranging from 1.7% -2.7% [16] [17].…”