HIV prevalence and risk in long-distance truck drivers in South Africa: a national cross-sectional survey.
Delany-Moretlwe, Sinead;
Bello, Braimoh;
Kinross, Peter;
Oliff, Monique;
Chersich, Matthew;
Kleinschmidt, Immo;
Rees, Helen;
(2013)
HIV prevalence and risk in long-distance truck drivers in South Africa: a national cross-sectional survey.
International journal of STD & AIDS, 25 (6).
pp. 428-438.
ISSN 0956-4624
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0956462413512803
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We estimated the prevalence of HIV and assessed correlates of HIV infection in long-distance truck drivers in South Africa. Between October 2003 and July 2004, 1900 long-distance truck drivers aged ≥18 years consented to interview and for testing for HIV. Participants were selected from a 10% stratified random sample of registered truck depots. A proximate-determinants framework was used to assess the hierarchical relationship between risk factors and HIV infection using logistic regression. HIV prevalence was 26% (95% confidence interval 24% to 28%). In multivariate analyses, HIV infection was associated with spending 2-4 weeks on the road (adjusted odds ratio 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.9). There was modest evidence of a dose-response relationship between time on the road and HIV risk. Mobility increased risk by creating conditions for unsafe sex and reducing access to health services. Targeted HIV interventions for long-distance truck drivers are needed.
