Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among long-distance truck drivers in Tongling, China

Int J STD AIDS. 2006 May;17(5):304-8. doi: 10.1258/095646206776790141.

Abstract

Little is known about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among truck drivers in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among truck drivers in Tongling of Anhui Province. A total of 550 truck drivers were interviewed with a structured questionnaire, and blood samples were collected and tested for HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), and urine specimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Prevalence was 10.6% for C. trachomatis and 8.1% for N. gonorrhoeae. Antibodies for syphilis were found in 0.7% and for HSV-2 in 4.4%, and none was positive for HIV. About 92 (17.4%) truck drivers had at least one STI. There was no statistically significant association between sociodemographic, occupation or behavioural variables and the presence of a positive test for any STI. Our study suggests a high prevalence of STIs, particularly bacterial infections, among the truck drivers, indicating the need for health education, behavioural change interventions and STI care services in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Gonorrhea / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpes Simplex / diagnosis
  • Herpes Simplex / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupations*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / epidemiology
  • Transportation*