Knowledge and Attitude Regarding STI and Treatment Seeking Behavior among Truck Drivers of Ambala, Haryana

Abstract

An descriptive study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude regarding STI and treatment seeking behavior among truck drivers of Ambala, Haryana. A sample comprised of 100 truck drivers were selected convenience sampling technique. The tools used for data collection were structured knowledge interview schedule, attitude scale and structured treatment seeking behaviour. Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the truck drivers 56% were in the age group of 31–40 years of age and with regard to educational status 88% of the truck drivers had secondary level of education. With regard to sexual history 61% of truck drivers’ had premarital sex had 41% had extramarital sex. Nearly half of the truck drivers 59% had heard of STI. Seventy seven (77%) of truck drivers had not assessed there STI status and only 23% of the truck drivers have assessed there STI status. Among those who were assessed for their STI status 7% were found to be positive. Knowledge of the truck drivers ranged between 1- 14 and mean knowledge score of truck drivers was found to be 5.65 ± 2.907. Range of attitude scores lies between 65 -101, the mean attitude score of truck drivers 84.88 ± 8.346. Findings further showed that coefficient of correlation between mean knowledge score and mean attitude score of truck drivers regarding STI (0.442) was found to be significant at 0.05 level of significance. Significant association was observed between levels of knowledge of truck drivers with regard to their age, premarital sex, extramarital sex, duration of working as a trucker, heard of STI, weeks away from home. Significant association was observed between attitude of truck drivers with heard about STI.