BACKGROUND:
Long distance truck drivers and helpers constitute a high
risk group for HIV/AIDS. Despite increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS and safe sex
practices, they still have a high incidence of new cases of HIV.
AIMS:
This study carried out at an ART (Anti-retroviral treatment
) centre in North India aimed to evaluate the sexual myths and misconceptions
prevalent among long distance drivers and helpers.
METHODS:
Data was collected retrospectively from ART records of 129
long distance Truck drivers and 68 helpers. Details of socio-demographic
characteristics, contact with commercial sex workers (CSW'S), pattern of condom
usage with CSW'S and factors influencing it were studied.
RESULTS:
We found that a significant number of drivers and helpers
had sexual contact with CSW's and out of these, 30% of drivers and 50% of
helpers reported not using condoms and instead resorting to methods like
washing genitalia after sex with battery water/urine to avoid getting HIV.
There was no significant relationship between pattern of condom usage and
educational status, marital status and age. We also found that certain myths
like sex with young CSW's was less likely to cause sexually transmitted diseases
(STD's) and HIV were also widespread.
CONCLUSION:
Owing to continuing prevalence of such sexual myths, long
distance truck drivers and helpers do not use condoms while having sex with
commercial sex workers(CSW's) as they feel that they can enjoy sex with CSW's
and still stay protected against STD's /HIV. It is imperative that this battery
water/urine antiseptic myth be specifically targeted for better HIV control in
this high risk group.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/VQ4kck
By:
- 1Junior Resident. Dept. of Medicine. Indira Gandhi Medical College - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). drnishitsawal@gmail.com.
- 2Medical Officer. ART Clinic. Indira Gandhi Medical College - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). India.
- 3HIV councilor. ART Clinic. Indira Gandhi Medical College - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). India.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
No comments:
Post a Comment