An exploratory study of the knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices of bulk vehicle operators at a company in Gaborone Botswana

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the state of transmission and prevention knowledge as well as attitudeson HIV and AIDS, among a group of specialist trained long distance truck drivers, known asbulk vehicle operators, at a company transporting dangerous goods in Gaborone, Botswana.It examines the prevalence of both condom use, condom use consistency, as well as theextent of sexual partner concurrency within this group, taking their demographic and socioeconomiccharacteristics into consideration. This study found low barriers to condom use,high levels of reported current condom use, but lower consistency of condoms particularlywith wives and regular partners and widespread practice of multiple sexual partners amongthis group. Over half of bulk vehicle operators perceived themselves as being exposed tosexual temptation outside their usual unions and at risk of HIV infection because of thenature of their occupation. Conducted in the context of well-documented occupationalvulnerabilities of distance truck drivers and organizational vulnerabilities of road freightcompanies to HIV and AIDS, the research considered the extent to which participants foundthe workplace non-discriminatory and accommodative to those living with HIV and AIDS.The study concludes by making recommendations on the ways company X‟s HIV/AIDSworkplace programmes may be strengthened – which recommendations are based on theopinions and practices of the bulk vehicle employees, company X‟s most critical occupation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University