SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND VARIOUS FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH-RISK BEHAVIOUR AMONG TRUCK DRIVERS OF THE PUNE DISTRICT, INDIA
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Keywords
Truck drivers, High-risk behaviour, HIV/AIDS, STIs, Condoms, Extra-marital sexual relations
Abstract
Background: Truck drivers constitute a bridge population between the general population and the high-risk group because of their mobility and high-risk behaviour. It was importance of sexual behaviour and various factors associated with high-risk behaviour among truck drivers in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Method: A questionnaire based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 360 truck drivers at Loni, all were males truck drivers belonging to Pune district. Data was collected, compiled, and analysed using appropriate and relevant statistical tests using WHO/CDC Atlanta/Epi info 6.
Results: The average age of truck drivers was 38.94 years. Majority of respondent were married (77.8%), consumed alcohol (82.0%), smoked (56%), and viewed pornography (85%). 41.6% truck drivers spent 21-25 nights away from home per month. 97.2% drivers had heard about STD whereas all truck drivers (100%) heard about HIV/AIDS, nearly half had learnt about it from audio-visual media (52.8%). 80.0% were aware of HIV transmission by unprotected sex. 93.1% had their first sexual encounter in the age range of 16-21 years. 80.5% of drivers admitted having extra-marital sexual relations and majority (30.3%) reported amateur partners and 51.66% prefer their extra-marital sexual partner to be below 30 years. Only 6.9% of truck drivers admitted having homosexual relationship. 56.4% of drivers use condoms sometimes during sex and 43.1% prefer a free condom e.g., Nirodh and maximum had learnt about it from NGOs/Peer educator (41.9%). Better availability of condoms near brothels or Dhaba’s was listed as commonest condition to regular use of condom as reported 40.8% of truck drivers.
Conclusions: The knowledge levels about HIV/AIDS and STIs are fair, the high-risk sexual behaviour is still common. More efforts are required to translate the high-risk perception of unsafe sexual behaviour among truck driver population into correct and safe sexual practices.
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Dr Hariom Gupta
Associate Professor, Preventive and Social Medicine, INHS Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai
Dr Jasbir Singh
Associate Professor, Pathology, 166 Military Hospital, Satwari, Jammu
Dr Priya Awasthi
Assistant Professor, Pathology,166 Military Hospital, Satwari, Jammu
Dr Sunil Kumar
Assistant Professor, Microbiology,166 Military Hospital, Satwari, Jammu
Dr Alok Singh
Assistant Professor, Pathology Army College Of Medical Science Delhi Cantt
Dr Ajay Shanker Sharma
Assistant Professor, Pathology,166 Military Hospital, Satwari, Jammu
Contact No.:9797173595, Address:166 Military Hospital Jammu