Sexually transmitted infections in long distance truck drivers

Abstract

A study was undertaken in 670 long distance truck drivers to investigate prevalence of sexually transmitted infections--STI (HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis-B infection and gonorrhoea) in Nagpur City, Central India. Standard laboratory procedures were followed for carrying out investigations i.e. ELISA for HIV infection, VDRL for syphilis, RPHA for hepatitis-B infection and gram staining for gonorrhoea. A total of 293 (43.7%) subjects had one or more sign/symptoms suggestive of STIs. The prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis-B infection and gonorrhoea was observed to be 15.2%, 21.9%, 5.1% and 6.7% respectively. In conclusion, this study recognized that long distance truck drivers were at high risk for getting STIs including HIV infection.