The vulnerability factors to HIV transmission among long distance truck drivers working from Windhoek, Namibia

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Long distance truck drivers have been documented in many literatures as key in the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This generally is due to the nature of their work and the people they interact with, who are mainly commercial sex workers (CSW) and vulnerable and desperate young girls and women coming from marginalized backgrounds in order to find easy ways to survive through prostitution.The researcher managed to conduct a quantitative research project where 146 long distance truck drivers who work from and through Windhoek, who have an understanding of English and/or Afrikaans and work for more than twenty four hours away from home were identified to participate in the research. They were given a questionnaire which sought to figure out the drivers' socio-demographic information, their knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV and AIDS, and the drivers' sexual practices and other factors which may be putting them at an increased risk of contracting HIV.Working in the long distance trucking industry is noted to have its own hazards like harassment by traffic police, thieves and border officials, xenophobic confrontations, loneliness and boredom make them seek companionship in CSW and other vulnerable and desperate young girls and women. They also have tight schedules and strict deadlines which give them no time to rest, no time to be with their families and no time to go to clinics or hospitals where they get comprehensive healthcare services and HIV intervention and prevention programmes like condom distribution and voluntary HIV counselling and testing.The findings noted that loneliness and boredom arising from being away from home for too long, and being unmarried make the drivers more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour and that a number of the drivers reported as having low HIV risk perception. Those who are married seem to feel obliged to protect their families as compared to those who are not married and have no family responsibilities. Many of the drivers seem to know about HIV and its causation of AIDS.The researcher recommends that drivers get more time to rest and spend with their families through driving shorter distances and partnering with sister companies such that drivers in Namibia may not need to cross the borders and return with cargo brought to the borders by the sister company drivers from neighbouring countries. Also to have a concerted effort by all stakeholders in the trucking industry in coming up with more truck ports like the North Star Foundation's Wellness Centre in Walvis Bay, Namibia in many strategic towns dotted along the most frequently used routes. These truck ports should have secure parking for the truck, decent and affordable lodges for drivers, with clinics, entertainment areas and shops to cater for all the needs of the drivers on the road. There is also need for companies to invest in satellite radios which can provide entertainment to drivers on the road and also as a medium to broadcast accurate information about HIV and AIDS by peer educators.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University