2366 - Perception of Bus Drivers on Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Background About 66% of new HIV infections occurred in sub Saharan Africa. Despite advances in understanding of HIV and its prevention and treatment, too many people living with HIV or at risk, still do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment, and there is still no cure. The paper examines the characters of intra city commercial bus drivers in Kaduna metropolis, a major transportation hub for northern Nigeria, on their perceptions of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). A typical commercial bus in Kaduna State is a 10seater bus shuttling the length and breadth of the metropolis and also the intercity shuttle. Bus drivers are among the high risk group in terms of HIV infection due to their lifestyle. Previous studies done in Nigeria have linked bus drivers to increasing rate of road traffic accidents due to drug abuse and misuse, while their roles as potential carriers of STDs in the dynamics of HIV/AIDS infections have not been explored. Methods Using the Kaduna State secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, one of the umbrella bodies for commercial bus drivers with a strength of 2,360 registered drivers and 1,948 functioning vehicles as the center, data was collected from 306 commercial bus drivers at four different motor parks within the metropolis with the use of a structured questionnaire testing the level of knowledge of the respondents on sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, the risk behaviors and their general attitude when on and off duty. Data on HIV/AIDS were also obtained from the Kaduna State Ministry of Health which shows that in 2014, 26,868 men from age 15 and above were HIV positive while 158,284 female of the same age group were HIV positive and 21,129 people have STD reported cases, ditto 2015, 24,520 male, 155,594 female and 14,641 reported cases in the state. Results Analysis revealed 7.9% agreed to taking alcohol before driving. 14.7% take energy boost of different kinds regularly and 17.6% take occasionally. 30.7% occasionally engaged in extramarital affair while 5.9% practice it regularly. Poor knowledge of the risk factors for STDs was exhibited as 13.4% of them believe the local charm and 7.2% chose the withdrawal method during intercourse and 39.2% does not believe in any prevention method. Conclusions Bus drivers have a high risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Diseases. It is therefore important that health officers be drafted to motor parks to create more awareness on what STD is all about and how to prevent it especially among the drivers as they play a major role in the transmission.