1 FARAH ASAD MANSURI, 2 HUMAYUN HANIF, 3 RUBINA IZHAR, 4 ZIA-UR-RAHMAN,
5 KAUSAR LATIF, 6 QAZI RASHEED AKHTER

ABSTRACT

Background:It is estimated that 70,000 to 80,000 persons, or 0.1 percent of the adult population in Pakistan, are infected with the HIV virus, according to UNAIDS. Only 1,972 HIV cases and 231 AIDS cases had been reported to the government's National AIDS Control Program. Under reporting is attributable to social stigma, ill-developed surveillance, lack of screening and as well as lack of knowledge among the population and practitioners. Our country is highly vulnerable to an escalating epidemic due to a number of prevalent risk factors.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of truck drivers regarding AIDS and to calculate the magnitude of AIDS among truck drivers.

Methods: It was a descriptive study, carried out as KAP survey of truck drivers. The truck drivers were interviewed at the truck agency "adda" or midway driver's hotels "charpai hotel" at eight different sites during December 2004 to January 2005. A total of 129 truck drivers were conveniently selected and information was obtained. There 104 in Lahore and 25 in Hyderabad were interviewed. Out of total subjects, 1O4 respondents (interviewed at Lahore) were tested for HIV antibodies by ELISA / CAPILLUS technique.

Results: The drivers were aged 19-56 years, 74% of the drivers were married with families and engaged in driving job for a mean duration of 13 years. Eighty nine (74.4%) of drivers were aware of AIDS and 61% admitted having multiple heterosexual partners, including prostitutes, and 5% admitted to have regular homosexual sexual encounters. Thirty two percent knew most of the correct sources of HIV spread. It was found that 9% of promiscuous drivers used condoms regularly, none admitted taking IV drugs, 35% reported histories of either urethral discharge or genital ulcers, and none of the 104 men tested were found to be infected with HIV

Conclusion: The truck drivers were adequately familiarized with AIDS but the knowledge regarding spread of disease through sexual transmission was found to be poor. No single subject was tested positive for HIV in this study. Although, literacy was found to be significantly associated with awareness of AIDS but attitude and practices were found to be unaffected.

Key Words: Awareness of HIV/ AIDS, truck drivers

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

1 Community Health Science, KMDC
2 Director Health Services, Punjab
3 Gynea I, Abbassi Shaheed Hospital & KMDC
4 Director Health Services, Punjab
5 Deputy Director Health, Attock
6 EDO Health, Hyderabad