Consistent Condom Use during Casual Sex among Long-Truck Drivers in Togo

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2008, the proportion of truck drivers who were not systematically protected during sex was 63% with casual partners and 60% with sex workers. Despite the high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and the growing awareness of the existence of the risk of HIV infection, condom use always encounters resistance among truck drivers in Togo. We sought to document the factors associated with condom use during casual sex among trucks’ drivers in Togo.MethodsThis was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 and targeted truckers at truck station on the two main roads of Togo, Lomé-Cinkassé and Kodjoviakopé-Sanvee Condji.ResultsIn this study, 1,782 trucks’ drivers and their helpers were interviewed. All were men, and their mean age was 28.8 ± 8.8 years. Trucks’ drivers were doing an average of 3 stops on their journeys and 1,229 (69%) of them had at least two years of experience in the work. Of the 1,782 trucks’ drivers, only 620 (34.8%) had consistently used condoms during casual sex in the last three months. In multivariate analysis, predictors were: education level (primary schooling: OR = 1.54; p = 0.002; Secondary schooling and higher OR = 1.38; p = 0.036), good knowledge of ways of HIV transmission (OR = 1.53; p = 0.000), tested for HIV (OR = 1.67, p = 0.000), duration in the profession (2–5 years: OR = 1.43, p = 0.008; more than 5 years: OR = 1.38, p = 0.027), and HIV risk’s perception (OR = 1.44, p = 0.000).ConclusionThese results highlight factors associated with consistent condom use during casual sex by truck drivers in Togo. This is a key population group at high risk of HIV transmission toward which the national HIV/AIDS control program should strengthen the HIV prevention strategies.

Frequency of perimesencephalic sub arachnoid haemorrhage in our hospital

“…In a similar study done by Yaya et al, Out of the 1,782 high risk group population, only 620 (34.8%) had consistently used condoms. 11 In our study we found that among the clients who used condom inconsistently, only 51.8% (89/173) have used in the past year & 13.1 % (22/173) used during last time they had sex. Among people with inconsistent usage of condoms the predominant reason was refusal by the partner (33.18%), which leads us to believe that better ways are needed in making the public aware to the benefits of condom usage.…”

“…16 Similarly, occupationally high risk groups such as lorry drivers, immigrants from other states should be encouraged and educated about proper condom usage. Despite the high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and the growing awareness of the existence of the risk of infection, condom use always has resistance in these groups, 11 which needs to be taken care off. In our study we also found that among the High Risk Group clients usage of condom during sex with female sex workers was found to be 58.7 %.…”

Estudos qualitativos sobre caminhoneiros e HIV/aids: contribuições para análise de vulnerabilidade

“…Nesse sentido, a população de caminhoneiros tem sido apontada em diferentes regiões do mundo como uma população com maior risco de adquirir o HIV, devido a algumas características laborais peculiares, como a mobilidade por rotas de longa distância e não permanência em suas cidades de origem 3 , principalmente em regiões do continente africano [9][10][11][12] e asiático [13][14][15][16] .…”

“…Comumen-te, os caminhoneiros são descritos na literatura como indivíduos que se relacionam com parceiras eventuais durante as viagens de longa distância 9,15,17,18,22 . Estudos também têm apontado para existência de fatores, significados e concepções que apoiam a não utilização do preservativo nas relações sexuais desses sujeitos com suas parceiras 12,15,16,22 . De acordo com Leal 18 , muitos dos estudos com esta população foram orientados pela metodologia de aferição de Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Práticas (chamados de CAP, ou KAP em Inglês), que possuem um enquadramento teórico-analítico orientado para o risco.…”

Peer Review #3 of "Depression and sexual risk behavior among long-distance truck drivers at roadside wellness clinics in Kenya (v0.1)"

“…Truck drivers are also at high-risk of HIV infection because of the high rates of sexual risk behavior, including engaging in condomless sex and having multiple partners [12][13][14][15]. A small number of studies in sub-Saharan Africa have explored the relationship between depression and sexual risk, including in a general population at risk for HIV infection in South Africa [16,17] and among social networks of young men in Tanzania [18].…”